October 3 is a special day for Korean people around the world as the country celebrates National Foundation Day or Kaech'onjol, a word which literally translates into 'the day the heavens' opened.
Folklore has it Kaech'onjol occurred 4,300 years ago when national founder Tan- gun is said to have founded the kingdom of Korea.
According to legend, Hwanin, the God of the Heavens, had a son, the divine prince Hwanung. The prince wanted to help mankind and asked his father to grant him the Korean peninsula to govern. His wish was granted and he went to earth with 3,000 followers.
Hwanung appeared near a divine sandalwood tree on the slopes of Taebaeksan Mountain that runs from north to south in the eastern part of the peninsula. He took the title Chonwang or 'Heavenly King' and established the city Shinshi, the City of God.
He also appointed three ministers in charge of wind, rain and the clouds and taught the people 360 useful arts including fishing, farming, weaving, medicine and carpentry.
At the sandalwood tree where Hwanung first appeared, there was a cave which was home to a bear and a tiger who both wished to become human. Each day, the animals went to the tree to pray to Hwanung and, eventually, the Heavenly King was moved by their prayers.