calendar>>January 14. 2011 Juch 100

Relics of Contributor to Unifying Kingdoms into Koryo Unearthed

Pyongyang, January 14 (KCNA) -- Historians of the Academy of Social Sciences discovered relics of the father of the family, which greatly contributed to the cause of unifying kingdoms into Koryo, a unified state, (early in the 10th century to late in the 14th century), from his tomb in a village near Talchon Hot Spring at the foot of Mt. Kuwol recently.

He was Ryu Cha Dal, father of the Munhwa Ryu family.

In Korean names surnames denote the titles given according to blood relations of husbands. They vary according to family origins. Ryu has 15 kinds of family roots Munhwa Ryu of which hold a majority.

Findings included four tombstones, millstones and a site of a building.

Reading the words written on the tombstones of Ryu Cha Dal's tomb, scholars ascertained that the above-said relics were meant for memorial service for Ryu who helped Wangon, the first king of Koryo, to found a unified state.

They also said that he was greatly influential in the Munhwa area (area of Samchon County at present) and he was awarded the title of a meritorious subject for his distinguished service for territorial unification.

His tomb is listed as a national heritage.