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 Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.
December 16, 2025
The Korean people call the present times the golden age of construction and the new era of comprehensive development of socialism.
The Workers’ Party of Korea is accelerating the accomplishment of the epoch-making cause of reconstructing the regional economy
December 16, 2025
The Workers’ Party of Korea is accelerating the accomplishment of the epoch-making cause of reconstructing the regional economy
Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong
December 16, 2025
Modern houses have been built at Majon and Naeho farms in Hamhung City and the Paeksang Farm in Pujon County of South Hamgyong
South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a
December 16, 2025
South Phyongan Province has modernized the city and county Koryo medicine pharmaceutical factories. Jungsan County worked out a
Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,
December 16, 2025
Hoeguksu or noodles with seasoned sliced raw fish was relished by people in the coastal areas. Through a long historical course,
Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in
December 15, 2025
Baskets of flowers in the name of the UN resident coordinator office and the missions of UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, FAO, WFP and WHO in
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
December 15, 2025
The Hungarian prime minister warned that Ukraine’s accession to the EU might cause danger through an SNS on December 8.Referring t
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
December 15, 2025
Personages of different countries highly praised the revolutionary exploits of Chairman Kim Jong Il who led the socialist cause of
Memorial meetings, seminars, round-table talks, lectures, photo exhibitions and film shows took place in Myanmar, Indonesia,
December 15, 2025
Memorial meetings, seminars, round-table talks, lectures, photo exhibitions and film shows took place in Myanmar, Indonesia,
The Kanggye Zoo has been splendidly built in Jagang Province. The zoo located in the Oesan area of Kanggye City has ten-odd animal
December 15, 2025
The Kanggye Zoo has been splendidly built in Jagang Province. The zoo located in the Oesan area of Kanggye City has ten-odd animal
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers. The modern
December 15, 2025
New villages have been built in South Hamgyong Province one after another, adding pleasure to agricultural workers. The modern
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
December 15, 2025
Modern houses have been built at the Munyang and Phyongam farms in Koksan County of North Hwanghae Province and the Ryongpho and
The Workers’ Party of Korea is powerfully carrying on the regional-industry revolution and the public health revolution,
December 14, 2025
The Workers’ Party of Korea is powerfully carrying on the regional-industry revolution and the public health revolution,
The Haeju Tilery was inaugurated in South Hwanghae Province. The tilery is furnished with modern equipment to fully supply
December 14, 2025
The Haeju Tilery was inaugurated in South Hwanghae Province. The tilery is furnished with modern equipment to fully supply
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded that the US observe the One China principle in a press conference
December 14, 2025
A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded that the US observe the One China principle in a press conference
The Jangsu Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory produces highly-efficacious traditional medicines in large quantities. The
December 14, 2025
The Jangsu Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory produces highly-efficacious traditional medicines in large quantities. The
Jagang Province has built the Kanggye Interlock Tile Factory. The construction of the modern factory furnished with various kinds
December 14, 2025
Jagang Province has built the Kanggye Interlock Tile Factory. The construction of the modern factory furnished with various kinds
The ideal socialist villages are being built one after another, representing the new appearance of civilization of Korean style.
December 13, 2025
The ideal socialist villages are being built one after another, representing the new appearance of civilization of Korean style.
On display in the building of Pyongyang University of Architecture are many artist’s impressions of buildings created by
December 13, 2025
On display in the building of Pyongyang University of Architecture are many artist’s impressions of buildings created by
The Korean People's Army, which regards the absolute loyalty to the Workers' Party of Korea and the revolution as its sacred
December 13, 2025
The Korean People's Army, which regards the absolute loyalty to the Workers' Party of Korea and the revolution as its sacred
More Articles
