Tangun is the father of the Korean nation who founded Ancient Joson, the first state in the history of Korea, and created civilization.
But he had been regarded as a mythical being in the past.
Because the Koreans produced various legends about the founding father as they deified him for ages. But a more important reason is that the Japanese imperialists manoeuvred to obliterate the thought of him from the mind of the Koreans during their military rule over the country.
Telling historians that every nation has its founder a long time ago, President Kim Il Sung assigned them the task of quickly finding out whether Tangun actually existed. He personally studied historical data and histories on state building and had academic discussions with historians to clarify the direction and ways to discover substantial evidence of Tangun’s entity. In January 1993, in particular, he suggested scholars to excavate the site of Tangun’s tomb in Kangdong County, Pyongyang.
Archaeologists carried out an extensive excavation at the site and discovered the remains of the king and queen in February 1993, thus scientifically proving that his remains dated back over 5 000 years.
Kim Il Sung was very satisfied to describe the discovery of the founder king’s remains through the excavation as a tremendous victory of Korean archaeology and great pride of the Korean nation. And he gave an instruction to reconstruct the tomb well as befitted the one of founder of the nation since it was scientifically ascertained that Tangun was a real person and the founder of the Korean nation and paid close attention to the building of the mausoleum till the last moments of his life.
Chairman Kim Jong Il led the efforts to reconstruct the tomb as a monumental structure to be handed down to posterity in keeping with the features of the contemporary time and by following the traditional national customs.
As a result, the tomb was wonderfully rebuilt in less than a year.
At present, the Mausoleum of King Tangun is located on top of a ridge at the foot of Mt Taebak in Munhung-ri, Kangdong County, Pyongyang.
National Foundation Day is commemorated with splendour at the mausoleum on his birth anniversary, October 3, every year.
The memorial service for King Tangun which has been performed for thousands of years to worship the father of the nation was inscribed as a national intangible cultural heritage element.
More From Pyongyang Times
The Saudi Arabian crown prince made a stand not to support the US’ military attack on Iran in a telephone conversation with the
February 03, 2026
The Saudi Arabian crown prince made a stand not to support the US’ military attack on Iran in a telephone conversation with the
The Hungarian Prime Minister on January 26 expressed his indignation at the remarks of the Ukrainian president. Shortly ago,
February 03, 2026
The Hungarian Prime Minister on January 26 expressed his indignation at the remarks of the Ukrainian president. Shortly ago,
Fairyland villages showing the beautiful future of the countryside have appeared one after another at farms in South Hwanghae
February 03, 2026
Fairyland villages showing the beautiful future of the countryside have appeared one after another at farms in South Hwanghae
The Ryonggang County Hospital opened on February 1. On hearing the news of the opening of the hospital, many residents in the
February 03, 2026
The Ryonggang County Hospital opened on February 1. On hearing the news of the opening of the hospital, many residents in the
Top policy priority for Workers’ Party of Korea During the term of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of
February 03, 2026
Top policy priority for Workers’ Party of Korea During the term of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of
Russian President Vladimir Putin in a letter on January 27 stressed that Russia will never forget the heinous crimes of Nazism
February 02, 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin in a letter on January 27 stressed that Russia will never forget the heinous crimes of Nazism
The unshakable will and outstanding leadership ability of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea hastening the
February 02, 2026
The unshakable will and outstanding leadership ability of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea hastening the
Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh and staff members of his embassy visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
February 02, 2026
Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh and staff members of his embassy visited the statues of President Kim Il Sung and
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations at a meeting of the UN Security Council on January 26 demanded Japan
February 02, 2026
The Chinese permanent representative to the United Nations at a meeting of the UN Security Council on January 26 demanded Japan
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Kim Il Sun, a woman living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 24, Ungsang-dong,
February 02, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a birthday spread to Kim Il Sun, a woman living in Neighbourhood Unit No. 24, Ungsang-dong,
Modern farmhouses have appeared in Jonsung-ri of Phyonggang County and Kaechon-ri of Ichon County, Kangwon Province. Ceremonies of
February 02, 2026
Modern farmhouses have appeared in Jonsung-ri of Phyonggang County and Kaechon-ri of Ichon County, Kangwon Province. Ceremonies of
Modern dwelling houses have appeared at the Mandal Vegetable Farm in Sungho County and the Wahyon Farm in Phyongsan County of
February 02, 2026
Modern dwelling houses have appeared at the Mandal Vegetable Farm in Sungho County and the Wahyon Farm in Phyongsan County of
Thanks to the Workers' Party of Korea's grand plan and energetic leadership to turn Pyongyang into a world-class civilized city,
February 02, 2026
Thanks to the Workers' Party of Korea's grand plan and energetic leadership to turn Pyongyang into a world-class civilized city,
The Third People's Art Festival in Celebration of February 16 will be held in Pyongyang and other parts of the DPRK. The festival
February 02, 2026
The Third People's Art Festival in Celebration of February 16 will be held in Pyongyang and other parts of the DPRK. The festival
North Hwanghae Province renovated Sariwon Kye Ung Sang University of Agriculture. The university has a school building, e-library,
February 02, 2026
North Hwanghae Province renovated Sariwon Kye Ung Sang University of Agriculture. The university has a school building, e-library,
A tree nursery has been successfully built in Kaesong Municipality. The tree nursery, located in a place favourable for sapling
February 02, 2026
A tree nursery has been successfully built in Kaesong Municipality. The tree nursery, located in a place favourable for sapling
The third-year project for implementing the regional development policy in the new era is being conducted on a full scale
February 02, 2026
The third-year project for implementing the regional development policy in the new era is being conducted on a full scale
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Russian Security Council, referred to the issue of ensuring strategic security in an intervi
February 01, 2026
Dmitri Medvedev, vice-chairman of the Russian Security Council, referred to the issue of ensuring strategic security in an intervi
Members of the Iranian Parliament issued a statement on January 25 to strongly denounce the European Parliament for adopting an an
February 01, 2026
Members of the Iranian Parliament issued a statement on January 25 to strongly denounce the European Parliament for adopting an an
North Hwanghae Province finished the capacity expansion project of the Kyongam Cement Factory. The establishment of a
February 01, 2026
North Hwanghae Province finished the capacity expansion project of the Kyongam Cement Factory. The establishment of a
More Articles
