Dangun(단군)

Dangun or Tangun (Korean: 단군; Hanja: 檀君), also known as Dangun Wanggeom (단군왕검; 檀君王儉), was the legendary founder and first king of Gojoseon, the earliest Korean kingdom. According to tradition, he established this first kingdom in the northern Korean Peninsula region in 2333 BC. Dangun is described in mythology as the "grandson of heaven" and "son of a bear," highlighting his divine origins.

The earliest documented version of the Dangun legend appears in the 13th-century text Samguk yusa, which claims to cite Korea's lost historical record Gogi (Ancient Record) and China's Book of Wei. However, researchers note that no references to Dangun exist in surviving versions of the Book of Wei.

Koreans commemorate Dangun's founding of Gojoseon on October 3 as National Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol), a national holiday. This celebration originated as a religious anniversary within Daejongism (대종교; 大倧教), a faith tradition that venerates Dangun.

Many Korean historians have observed etymological connections between Dangun and Tengri (the primary deity in various Central Asian religious traditions), suggesting possible shared linguistic or cultural origins.