The name of King Tongmyong was Jumong. He was also called Chumo, Tomo or Jungmo.
He reigned from 277 BC to 259 BC.
Legend has it that his father was Haemosu, known as Heavenly Emperor or his son, and his mother was Ryuhwa, daughter of Dragon King named Habaek.
In fact, his parents were influential persons in the area along the mid-stream of the Amnok River.
Ryuhwa, Jumong’s mother, was banished to the area around Ubalsu because she got married without receiving the approval of her parents. Then she took refuge in the royal palace of Puyo, where she gave birth to him.
Jumong was good at martial arts from his boyhood. In particular, he was such an excellent archer that he never missed targets at the age of 7 and later on could hit two flying birds with one arrow and a small ring a hundred steps away on his first go.
The name Jumong originated in the word of Puyo dialect which denoted a master archer. As such he was already an expert archer in his boyhood. He grew up to be a man of sturdy build.
So jealous of Jumong’s gifts and undaunted vigour, a prince of Puyo Kingdom attempted to kill him. Given the situation, Jumong left Puyo for Kuryo Kingdom (otherwise called Jolbon Puyo) in the south together with several like-minded men like Oi, Mari and Hyoppo and joined hands with the regional autonomous force there. He gradually expanded his influence. First he became the head of a region of Kuryo and then all its five regions.
In 277 BC he changed the name of the country into Koguryo. While establishing feudalistic ruling system and order, he designated Jolbon as the first capital of his country.
He paid close attention to territorial expansion. Koguryo annexed several neighbouring countries like Piryu, Haengin and Pugokjo to become a large kingdom ten years after he ascended to power.
This made him the founder of the first feudal state in the history of Korea. As the founder king of Koguryo, he laid strong foundations for his country.
In 259 BC, 19 years after he founded the kingdom, his wife surnamed Rye he had got married in Puyo and Yuryu, the son by the marriage, came to see him. The king nominated Yuryu as the crown prince.
In September that year, King Tongmyong suddenly fell ill and died. His tomb was moved to what is now Ryongsan-ri, Ryokpho District, Pyongyang, when Koguryo moved its main capital to Pyongyang.
King Tongmyong was a proud son of Koguryo who laid a firm foundation for the country to shine as a powerful kingdom in Asia for 1 000 years.
More From Naenara (En)
Preserved in the International Friendship Exhibition House situated in Mt Myohyang, a celebrated mountain in the DPRK, are as many
June 23, 2025
Preserved in the International Friendship Exhibition House situated in Mt Myohyang, a celebrated mountain in the DPRK, are as many
Taedonggang is a floating restaurant frequented by the people. What is impressive on the floating restaurant is to enjoy the view
June 23, 2025
Taedonggang is a floating restaurant frequented by the people. What is impressive on the floating restaurant is to enjoy the view
DPRK players are proving successful at the U-17, U-23 Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 being held in Vietnam. The championships
June 23, 2025
DPRK players are proving successful at the U-17, U-23 Asian Wrestling Championships 2025 being held in Vietnam. The championships
Last year, agricultural workers at the Kumchon Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, moved into new houses amid the
June 23, 2025
Last year, agricultural workers at the Kumchon Vegetable Farm in Mangyongdae District, Pyongyang, moved into new houses amid the
Among the eye-catchers at the 23rd Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair held in May were Ragwon-brand women’s dresses. A
June 23, 2025
Among the eye-catchers at the 23rd Pyongyang Spring International Trade Fair held in May were Ragwon-brand women’s dresses. A
The Wirim Joint Venture Company specializes in developing and introducing agricultural science and technology products by
June 22, 2025
The Wirim Joint Venture Company specializes in developing and introducing agricultural science and technology products by
Among the scientists who were selected as national top scientists and technicians of 2024 is Kim Kyong Su, PhD and head of the
June 22, 2025
Among the scientists who were selected as national top scientists and technicians of 2024 is Kim Kyong Su, PhD and head of the
The Sinpho City Offshore Farm, inaugurated thanks to the new regional development policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, has
June 22, 2025
The Sinpho City Offshore Farm, inaugurated thanks to the new regional development policy of the Workers’ Party of Korea, has
- Visit to the regional-industry factories in Songchon county- Songchon County in South Phyongan Province has long been famous for
June 21, 2025
- Visit to the regional-industry factories in Songchon county- Songchon County in South Phyongan Province has long been famous for
Quintuplets born for the first time in the DPRK left the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital on June 19. The mother of the quintuplets
June 21, 2025
Quintuplets born for the first time in the DPRK left the Pyongyang Maternity Hospital on June 19. The mother of the quintuplets
A child prodigy stole the show at the national IT achievements exhibition-2024. He is Choe Thae Hui, a six-year-old child at
June 21, 2025
A child prodigy stole the show at the national IT achievements exhibition-2024. He is Choe Thae Hui, a six-year-old child at
Kung Jong Sik, a teacher at Phyongsong University of Education, has made remarkable achievements in his efforts to develop the
June 21, 2025
Kung Jong Sik, a teacher at Phyongsong University of Education, has made remarkable achievements in his efforts to develop the
The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the embassy of the Russian Federation in Pyongyang jointly
June 21, 2025
The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the embassy of the Russian Federation in Pyongyang jointly
Now I am 95 years old. I was 20 when I fought in the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953).I still remember the
June 21, 2025
Now I am 95 years old. I was 20 when I fought in the Fatherland Liberation War (June 25, 1950-July 27, 1953).I still remember the
The Sports Contest of Revolutionary Schools-2025 took place at Mangyongdae Revolutionary School from June 17 to 19. The contest
June 21, 2025
The Sports Contest of Revolutionary Schools-2025 took place at Mangyongdae Revolutionary School from June 17 to 19. The contest
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued the following press statement titled
June 20, 2025
A spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea issued the following press statement titled
Kang Song Jin, section chief of the National Musical Instruments Institute of the Pyongyang Traditional Musical Instruments
June 20, 2025
Kang Song Jin, section chief of the National Musical Instruments Institute of the Pyongyang Traditional Musical Instruments
A meeting took place at the Sci-Tech Complex on June 18 to mark the Day of Persons with Disabilities. Present there were Jon Chol
June 20, 2025
A meeting took place at the Sci-Tech Complex on June 18 to mark the Day of Persons with Disabilities. Present there were Jon Chol
Lately, we had a chance to travel with tourists to Mt Jongbang on a tour arranged by the Morangbong Travel Company. After a 32km
June 20, 2025
Lately, we had a chance to travel with tourists to Mt Jongbang on a tour arranged by the Morangbong Travel Company. After a 32km
The Sunchon City Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory endeavours to produce efficacious traditional Koryo medicines. To increase
June 20, 2025
The Sunchon City Koryo Medicine Pharmaceutical Factory endeavours to produce efficacious traditional Koryo medicines. To increase
More Articles
