The National Foundation Day is the day when a memorial service is held in commemoration of the birthday of Tangun, ancestral father of the Korean nation.
Tangun is the founder of Ancient Joson which was built in the early 30 century B.C. and existed for nearly 3,000 years.
The Korean history started with the foundation of the first state--Ancient Joson. With the establishment of Ancient Joson, the Korean nation put an end to its long primitive ages and entered the era of statehood, the era of civilization, for the first time in the East.
Tangun was born in today's Pyongyang. His remains were discovered at the Mausoleum of King Tangun in Kangdong County of Pyongyang in Juche 82(1993).
Tangun was born and grew up when there were frequent intertribal wars for more wealth.
He distinguished himself in martial arts and gradually had a great ambition to transform and change the society.
After he became the chief of a tribe, following in the footsteps of his father, he gradually reformed and developed the primitive political mechanisms into violent ones to control antagonism between classes and between tribes. On the basis of such social change, he founded a state for the first time with Pyongyang as its capital. The name of the state built at that time was called Joson. It is now called Ancient Joson in order to distinguish it from the feudal Joson dynasty built afterwards.
Kim Sol Gyong, Researcher of the History Institute under the Academy of Social Sciences, says:
"The Korean nation worshipped Tangun as the ancestral father and held a memorial service for him on the National Foundation Day annually.
According to the custom, a memorial service for Tangun is held at the Mausoleum of King Tangun every year."
The memorial service for Tangun serves as an occasion of increasing the pride of the Korean nation with a long history and culture.
October 3 is the birthday of Tangun.
More From Voice of Korea (EN)
Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
December 05, 2025
Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan laid bouquets before the bronze statues of the great leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim
December 05, 2025
The art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan laid bouquets before the bronze statues of the great leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim
New houses have been built at the Thaeyang Farm in Kyonghung County and the Hyongje Farm in Puryong County of North Hamgyong
December 05, 2025
New houses have been built at the Thaeyang Farm in Kyonghung County and the Hyongje Farm in Puryong County of North Hamgyong
The 55th Athletic Meet of Artistes took place at the Basketball Gymnasium in Chongchun Street of Pyongyang on the 3rd and the 4th.
December 05, 2025
The 55th Athletic Meet of Artistes took place at the Basketball Gymnasium in Chongchun Street of Pyongyang on the 3rd and the 4th.
Young people in South Phyongan Province volunteered to work at coal mines in the province. A meeting was held to congratulate the
December 05, 2025
Young people in South Phyongan Province volunteered to work at coal mines in the province. A meeting was held to congratulate the
The "Exhibition of Products of Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factories--2025" came to a close with due ceremony at the Okryu
December 05, 2025
The "Exhibition of Products of Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factories--2025" came to a close with due ceremony at the Okryu
An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, Principal of the Korean Primary School in Toshun, arrived in
December 05, 2025
An art troupe of Korean schoolchildren in Japan led by Ri Chol Su, Principal of the Korean Primary School in Toshun, arrived in
Tree nurseries are found in all parts of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. One day in July 2018, the respected Comrade
December 05, 2025
Tree nurseries are found in all parts of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. One day in July 2018, the respected Comrade
South Hwanghae Province has established a new edible calcium carbonate production process and started the production. The edible
December 05, 2025
South Hwanghae Province has established a new edible calcium carbonate production process and started the production. The edible
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
December 05, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un, General Secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the
There is Kyongru-dong, a terraced residential district, on the bank of the picturesque Pothong River in the city of Pyongyang. A
December 04, 2025
There is Kyongru-dong, a terraced residential district, on the bank of the picturesque Pothong River in the city of Pyongyang. A
This is the gift--woodwork "General View of Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia"--presented to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un by the
December 04, 2025
This is the gift--woodwork "General View of Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia"--presented to the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un by the
The Phyongsong Zoo was built in South Phyongan Province. The zoo covers an area of more than 20,000 square metres with a number of
December 04, 2025
The Phyongsong Zoo was built in South Phyongan Province. The zoo covers an area of more than 20,000 square metres with a number of
A photo exhibition and a reception hosted by the Vietnamese embassy in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea took place at the
December 04, 2025
A photo exhibition and a reception hosted by the Vietnamese embassy in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea took place at the
A meeting was held at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on the 3rd to commemorate the International Day of Persons with
December 04, 2025
A meeting was held at the Central Youth Hall in Pyongyang on the 3rd to commemorate the International Day of Persons with
People moved into new houses at the Ryokpho Vegetable Farm in Ryokpho District and the Oryu Vegetable Farm in Sadong District of
December 04, 2025
People moved into new houses at the Ryokpho Vegetable Farm in Ryokpho District and the Oryu Vegetable Farm in Sadong District of
The Ryongchon Plain is the largest one in North Phyongan Province. On the plain is the Naejung Farm in Yomju County. Meritorious
December 04, 2025
The Ryongchon Plain is the largest one in North Phyongan Province. On the plain is the Naejung Farm in Yomju County. Meritorious
Doctor is a job earning the people's respect because he or she relieves them of their pain and recovers their health. Kim Ryo Sun,
December 03, 2025
Doctor is a job earning the people's respect because he or she relieves them of their pain and recovers their health. Kim Ryo Sun,
Protecting the national cultural heritage associated with the talents and wisdom of the nation and the excellent national
December 03, 2025
Protecting the national cultural heritage associated with the talents and wisdom of the nation and the excellent national
A meeting was held at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace on November 30 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the respected
December 03, 2025
A meeting was held at the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren's Palace on November 30 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the respected
More Articles