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
Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,
January 28, 2026
Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,
The Indian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on January 26 to mark the Day of the
January 28, 2026
The Indian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on January 26 to mark the Day of the
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov decried the confrontational policy of the West at a press conference on January 20. Saying
January 28, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov decried the confrontational policy of the West at a press conference on January 20. Saying
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri of Jangyon County and Songnam-ri of Thaethan County, South
January 28, 2026
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri of Jangyon County and Songnam-ri of Thaethan County, South
Schoolchildren’s winter vacation is now at its height. Their routines during the vacation are very diverse, and yet priority is
January 28, 2026
Schoolchildren’s winter vacation is now at its height. Their routines during the vacation are very diverse, and yet priority is
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw material feeding to
January 28, 2026
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw material feeding to
A meeting was held on January 26 to review the 2025 socialist emulation in the fruit farming sector. Present there were Ri Chol
January 28, 2026
A meeting was held on January 26 to review the 2025 socialist emulation in the fruit farming sector. Present there were Ri Chol
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a talk on January 19 that the country should develop its economy by its own
January 27, 2026
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a talk on January 19 that the country should develop its economy by its own
The German prime minister at a press conference on January 19 resisted the US’ tariff pressure in relation to the Greenland issue.
January 27, 2026
The German prime minister at a press conference on January 19 resisted the US’ tariff pressure in relation to the Greenland issue.
Construction projects conducive to developing the self-supporting economy have been completed one after another in different parts
January 27, 2026
Construction projects conducive to developing the self-supporting economy have been completed one after another in different parts
Ryu Kum Hui is one of the talented film artistes. Born in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, she was gifted with a clear voice
January 27, 2026
Ryu Kum Hui is one of the talented film artistes. Born in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, she was gifted with a clear voice
The Musan Mining Complex carried out the blasting of one million cubic metres of earth on January 25. The successful blasting
January 27, 2026
The Musan Mining Complex carried out the blasting of one million cubic metres of earth on January 25. The successful blasting
Kimchi is one of the typical foods of the DPRK. A unique processed vegetable made through lactic fermentation of vegetable, kimchi
January 27, 2026
Kimchi is one of the typical foods of the DPRK. A unique processed vegetable made through lactic fermentation of vegetable, kimchi
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex is bringing about a great upsurge in production. Last year the complex conducted maintenance
January 27, 2026
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex is bringing about a great upsurge in production. Last year the complex conducted maintenance
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
January 26, 2026
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
January 26, 2026
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
January 26, 2026
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
January 26, 2026
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
January 26, 2026
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
January 26, 2026
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
More Articles
