Hwanung - Korean Creation Myth

For our first presentation, creation myths from around the world, I was given the Korean creation myth of Hwanung. It is quite an interesting tale but the more I researched it, it became clear that this myth was more the creation of Korea as a people rather than one of cosmogeny.

The Korean belief system is based from the worship of nature and the attribution of souls to objects, often regarded as Animism. They believed that everything had a spirit. From the Sun, Moon, and stars, to the mountains, rivers, trees, and creatures. All the way down to the rock that trips you while walking.

And above all these spirits reigned Hwanin. Hwanin is the Divine Regent, God of All, Supreme Deity, literally the Emperor of Heaven. Hwanin had a son named Hwanung, and of all children do, Hwanung yearned to leave home. He longed to leave the sky and live on Earth amongst the mountains and valleys. Hwanin granted his son's wish and let him descend to Earth with 3000 helpers.
He landed near a sandalwood tree on Mount Taebaek. At the base of this tree, he founded the city of Shinsi, "City of Spirits". Hwanung appointed three ministers; the Minister of Clouds, Rain, and Wind. With their help and guidance, Hwanung introduced humans to laws and a moral code. He also gave mankind the knowledge of arts, medicine, and agriculutre.
Near the sandalwood tree, lived Tiger and Bear. Everyday the two creatures would come pray at the tree and ask Hwanung to trasnform them into humans. Hwangug appeared one day with twenty bulbs of garlic and mugwort and said that if they could stay in a nearby cave for 100 days, eating only those two plants, he would change them. Tiger and Bear both agreed and entered the cave. Tiger, grew impatient and hungry and left the cave after about 20 days. However, Bear remained in the cave for the full 100 days, and on the 100th day, Hwanung appeared and transformed Bear into a beautiful woman.
The woman was overjoyed with Hwanung and continued to praise him and made offerings to him. Over time, the woman grew lonely and prayed to Hwanung to be blessed with a child. Hwanung was greatly moved by the woman's prayers and so he took her for his wife. Upon breathing on her, she was impregnated and gave birth to their son Dangun (or Tangun).
Dangun was known as the 'Grandson of Heaven' and with this title, he ascended to the throne. From which he decreed that the walled city of Asadal be built. This marked the birth of the first Korean Empire. This is said to be beginning of Korean history, around 2333BCE. Dangun is also accredited with the creation of acupuncture and moxibustion. It is claimed Dangun lived 1,908 years and upon his death either returned to heavan or became a mountain god.

*Sandalwood trees, mugwort, and garlic are all still sacred to the Koreans