Ideas shaped by the Tangun myth in the view of the problem of national identity in the Republic of Korea

By the examples of ideas that are shaped by the Tangun myth, the article observes the role of mythology in solving problems, such as conservation and maintenance of national identity, after the Republic of Korea was established. It was concluded by means of the analysis of the theoretical concepts within the constructivist approach that the ‘invented tradition’, which is associated with the image of Tangun, relates to conditions of existence and functioning of constructed tradition and its implementation fits into the framework of identity politics. After establishment of the Republic of Korea, the ideas connected to the Tangun myth were institutionalized. The institutionalization was implemented through the enactment of tangi chronology (which starts from the era of Old-Joseon’s foundation by Tangun) as official; the establishment of holiday kaecheonjeol (this holiday celebrates the formation of the first Korean state of Old-Joseon in 2333BC) as a national and the recognition of the honikingan ideology (‘benefit broadly the human world’) as the basic concepts of education. The use of chronology tangi as official lasted only thirteen years, but some Korean researchers look at tangi as representation of Korean national identity. After the abolition of tangi, movements for its revival were continued. Activists of these movements suppose that it will revive the national spirit. Also, there are articles that observe the role and the meaning of tangi in the context of reunification of two Koreas. In contrast to tangi, holiday kaecheonjeol and the honikingan ideology remain fixed at the state level. Despite the fact that in recent years it has been suggested that holiday kaecheonjeol is not needed and it should be excluded from the list of national holidays, it still remains in it. The honikingan ideology still plays a key role in the Education Act (20th January, 2015). The discussion around the formal image of Tangun and the principles of describing the Tangun myth in history books that took place in the eighties and large number of activities and organizations associated with the faith in Tangun give evidence of the importance of the ideas shaped by the myth of Tangun in the consciousness of Koreans. Such examples convince that the myths, as a part of the traditional culture, continue to exist and function. Today the content of these myths is changed, and only the items that match the objectives of the time, such as the maintenance of national identity, become significant. Thus, the myths realize their ideological function.