Public holidays in South Korea
Encyclopedia
Public holidays in South Korea each belong to one or more of three categories:
Each category has a different legal basis. All National Celebration Days are also Flag Raising Days.
(March 1) was first stipulated by the Law of U.S. Military Government in Korea
No.2(군정법률 제2호 "경축일공포의관한건") in 1946. After the establishment of the Government of the Republic of Korea
in 1948, four major National Celebration Days(Independence Declaration Day
, Constitution Day
, Liberation Day
, National Foundation Day
) were provided by "The Law Concerning the National Celebration Days"(국경일에관한법률) in 1949.
In 2005, Hangul Day
became the 5th National Celebration day.
(half staff), Armed Forces Day
are provided by Article 8 of the "National Flag Law"(대한민국국기법 제8조)). On these days, the raising of the taegukgi at every house and along every roadside is promoted.
- National Celebration Day (HangulHangulHangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean...
: 국경일, HanjaHanjaHanja is the Korean name for the Chinese characters hanzi. More specifically, it refers to those Chinese characters borrowed from Chinese and incorporated into the Korean language with Korean pronunciation...
: 國慶日) - National Flag Raising Day (Hangul: 국기게양일, Hanja: 國旗揭揚日)
- Public Day Off (Hangul: 공휴일, Hanja: 公休日)
Each category has a different legal basis. All National Celebration Days are also Flag Raising Days.
Korean holidays
| Name | Date | Remarks | National Celebration Day | Flag Raising | Day Off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day New Year's Day New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome... 신정(新正)1 (Sinjeong) |
January 1 | The day celebrates the new year New Year The New Year is the day that marks the time of the beginning of a new calendar year, and is the day on which the year count of the specific calendar used is incremented. For many cultures, the event is celebrated in some manner.... . |
No |  |
Yes |
| Korean New Year's Day Korean New Year Korean New Year, commonly known as Seollal , is the first day of the lunar calendar. It is the most important of the traditional Korean holidays. It consists of a period of celebrations, starting on New Year's Day. Koreans also celebrate solar New Year's Day on January 1 each year, following the... 설날 (Seollal) |
1st day of 1st lunar month Lunar calendar A lunar calendar is a calendar that is based on cycles of the lunar phase. A common purely lunar calendar is the Islamic calendar or Hijri calendar. A feature of the Islamic calendar is that a year is always 12 months, so the months are not linked with the seasons and drift each solar year by 11 to... |
Also called "Seol(설)" or "Gujeong(구정, 舊正)". The first day of the lunar Korean calendar Korean calendar The traditional Korean calendar is a lunisolar calendar, like the traditional calendars of other East Asian countries. Dates are calculated from Korea's meridian, and observances and festivals are based in Korean culture.... . It is the most important of the traditional Korean holidays, and is considered a more important holiday than the solar New Year's Day New Year's Day New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome... . |
No | No | Yes (3days) |
| Independence (Declaration) Day March 1st Movement The March 1st Movement, or Samil Movement, was one of the earliest public displays of Korean resistance during the occupation of the Korean Empire by Japan. The name refers to an event that occurred on March 1, 1919, hence the movement's name, literally meaning "Three-One Movement" or "March First... 3.1절(三一節) (Samiljeol) |
March 1 | This day commemorates the March 1st Movement March 1st Movement The March 1st Movement, or Samil Movement, was one of the earliest public displays of Korean resistance during the occupation of the Korean Empire by Japan. The name refers to an event that occurred on March 1, 1919, hence the movement's name, literally meaning "Three-One Movement" or "March First... in 1919. On March 1 of this year, the Korean people declared their nation's independence from Imperial Japan. It was a catalyst for the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea was the partially recognised government in exile of Korea, based in Shanghai, China, and later in Chongqing, during the Colonial Korea.-History:... (April 13, 1919). |
Yes | |
Yes |
| Children's Day Children's Day "Children Day", as an event, is celebrated on various days in many places around the world, in particular to honor children. Major global variants include a Universal Children's Day on November 20, by United Nations recommendation... 어린이날 (Eorininal) |
May 5 | The day on which to esteem the personalities of children and plan for their happiness. In Korea, Children's Day started on May 1, 1922, when 8 persons including Bang Jeong-hwan declared the Day and held an anniversary. In 1946, the Day changed to May 5, and became a public holiday in 1975. | No | No | Yes |
| Buddha's Birthday Buddha's Birthday Buddha's Birthday, the birthday of the Prince Siddhartha Gautama, is a holiday traditionally celebrated in Mahayana Buddhism.- East Asia except Japan :... 석가탄신일(釋迦誕辰日) (Seokgatansinil) |
8th day of 4th lunar month Lunar calendar A lunar calendar is a calendar that is based on cycles of the lunar phase. A common purely lunar calendar is the Islamic calendar or Hijri calendar. A feature of the Islamic calendar is that a year is always 12 months, so the months are not linked with the seasons and drift each solar year by 11 to... |
Also called "Bucheonnim Osinnal (부처님 오신 날)" or "Sawol Chopail (사월 초파일,四月初八日). The birthday of the Gautama Buddha Gautama Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian... . In South Korea, Buddhism is the one of two major religions, along with Christianity. |
No | No | Yes |
| Memorial Day Memorial Day (South Korea) The South Korean Memorial Day is held every June 6 to commemorate men and women who died while in military service, during the Korean War and other significant wars or battles.... 현충일(顯忠日) (Hyeonchung-il) |
June 6 | The day commemorates the men and women who died while in military service or in the independence movement. On this day, a national commemoration ceremony is held in Seoul National Cemetery Seoul National Cemetery The Seoul National Cemetery is located in Dongjak-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, South Korea. When established by presidential decree of Syngman Rhee in 1956, it was the country's only national cemetery. An additional national cemetery was established in 1974 in Daejeon... . |
No | (half staff) |
Yes |
| Constitution Day Constitution of the Republic of Korea The Constitution of the Republic of Korea is its basic law. It was promulgated on July 17, 1948, and last revised in 1987.- History :... 제헌절(制憲節) (Jeheonjeol) |
July 17 | The day celebrates the promulgation Promulgation Promulgation is the act of formally proclaiming or declaring a new statutory or administrative law after its enactment. In some jurisdictions this additional step is necessary before the law can take effect.... of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea Constitution of the Republic of Korea The Constitution of the Republic of Korea is its basic law. It was promulgated on July 17, 1948, and last revised in 1987.- History :... in 1948. |
Yes | |
No |
| Liberation Day 광복절(光復節) (Gwangbokjeol Gwangbokjeol Gwangbokjeol, celebrated annually on August 15, is one of the Public holidays in South Korea. It commemorates Victory over Japan Day, which liberated Korea from colonial rule... ) |
August 15 | The day celebrates the national liberation Liberty Liberty is a moral and political principle, or Right, that identifies the condition in which human beings are able to govern themselves, to behave according to their own free will, and take responsibility for their actions... from Imperial Japan in 1945. On the same day in 1948, the government of the Republic of Korea was established. The word "Gwangbok" means "restoration of light". |
Yes | |
Yes |
| Midautumn Festival Chuseok Chuseok , originally known as Hangawi , is a major harvest festival and a three-day holiday in Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Like many other harvest festivals, it is held around the Autumn Equinox... 추석(秋夕) (Chuseok) |
15th day of 8th lunar month Lunar calendar A lunar calendar is a calendar that is based on cycles of the lunar phase. A common purely lunar calendar is the Islamic calendar or Hijri calendar. A feature of the Islamic calendar is that a year is always 12 months, so the months are not linked with the seasons and drift each solar year by 11 to... |
Also called "Han-gawi (한가위)". Korean traditional Harvest Festival Harvest festival A Harvest Festival is an annual celebration which occurs around the time of the main harvest of a given region. Given the differences in climate and crops around the world, harvest festivals can be found at various times throughout the world... . With Seollal Korean New Year Korean New Year, commonly known as Seollal , is the first day of the lunar calendar. It is the most important of the traditional Korean holidays. It consists of a period of celebrations, starting on New Year's Day. Koreans also celebrate solar New Year's Day on January 1 each year, following the... , it is one of the most important Korean traditional holidays Korean calendar The traditional Korean calendar is a lunisolar calendar, like the traditional calendars of other East Asian countries. Dates are calculated from Korea's meridian, and observances and festivals are based in Korean culture.... . As a celebration of the good harvest, Koreans visit their ancestral hometowns and share a feast of Korean traditional food. |
No | No | Yes (3days) |
| Armed Forces Day Armed Forces Day Several nations of the world hold an annual Armed Forces Day in honor of their military forces. - Armenia :Բանակի օր is celebrated on 28 January to commemorate the formation of the armed forces of the newly independent Republic of Armenia in 1992.... 국군(國軍)의 날 (Gukgunuinal) |
October 1 | The day recognizes, venerates, and honors the military forces of the Republic of Korea Military of South Korea The Republic of Korea Armed Forces or ROK Armed Forces, is the armed forces of the Republic of Korea... . In 1950, during the Korean War Korean War The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union... , South Korean Forces broke through the 38th parallel 38th parallel north The 38th parallel north is a circle of latitude that is 38 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane. It crosses Europe, the Mediterranean Sea, Asia, the Pacific Ocean, North America, and the Atlantic Ocean... on October 1. |
No | |
No |
| National Foundation Day Gaecheonjeol Gaecheonjeol is a public holiday in South Korea on 3 October. Also known by the English name National Foundation Day, this holiday celebrates the creation of the state of Gojoseon founded by Dangun Wanggeom in the year 2333 BC.... 개천절(開天節) (Gaecheonjeol) |
October 3 | The day celebrates the foundation of Gojoseon Gojoseon Gojoseon was an ancient Korean kingdom. Go , meaning "ancient," distinguishes it from the later Joseon Dynasty; Joseon, as it is called in contemporaneous writings, is also romanized as Chosŏn.... , the first state Sovereign state A sovereign state, or simply, state, is a state with a defined territory on which it exercises internal and external sovereignty, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign states. It is also normally understood to be a state which is neither... of the Korean nation. According to the Samguk Yusa Samguk Yusa Samguk Yusa, or Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms, is a collection of legends, folktales, and historical accounts relating to the Three Kingdoms of Korea , as well as to other periods and states before, during, and after the Three Kingdoms period.The text was written in Classical Chinese, which was... , Dangun Dangun Dangun Wanggeom was the legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, around present-day Liaoning, Manchuria, and the Korean Peninsula. He is said to be the "grandson of heaven", and to have founded the kingdom in 2333 BC... founded Gojoseon Gojoseon Gojoseon was an ancient Korean kingdom. Go , meaning "ancient," distinguishes it from the later Joseon Dynasty; Joseon, as it is called in contemporaneous writings, is also romanized as Chosŏn.... on the 3rd day of 10th lunar month Lunar calendar A lunar calendar is a calendar that is based on cycles of the lunar phase. A common purely lunar calendar is the Islamic calendar or Hijri calendar. A feature of the Islamic calendar is that a year is always 12 months, so the months are not linked with the seasons and drift each solar year by 11 to... , 2333 BC. Today, South Koreans celebrate their national foundation on October 3 according to the solar calendar Gregorian calendar The Gregorian calendar, also known as the Western calendar, or Christian calendar, is the internationally accepted civil calendar. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII, after whom the calendar was named, by a decree signed on 24 February 1582, a papal bull known by its opening words Inter... , for convenience sake. "Gaecheonjeol" means "Heaven-opened Day". |
Yes | |
Yes |
| Hangul Day Hangul Day Hangul Day — also called Hangul Proclamation Day or Korean Alphabet Day — is a Korean national commemorative day marking the invention and the proclamation of hangul , the native alphabet of the Korean language, by King Sejong the Great. It is observed on October 9 in South Korea and on... 한글날 (Hangeulnal) |
October 9 | The day commemorates the invention (1443) and the proclamation (1446) of hangul Hangul Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean... , the native alphabet Alphabet An alphabet is a standard set of letters—basic written symbols or graphemes—each of which represents a phoneme in a spoken language, either as it exists now or as it was in the past. There are other systems, such as logographies, in which each character represents a word, morpheme, or semantic... of the Korean language Korean language Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing... . Koreans are proud that Hangul is a very scientific and creative artificial alphabet Constructed script A constructed script is a new writing system specifically created by an individual or group, rather than having evolved as part of a language or culture like a natural script... , and that it is one of the most recent official writing systems ever created. King Sejong the Great, inventor of hangul Hangul Hangul,Pronounced or ; Korean: 한글 Hangeul/Han'gŭl or 조선글 Chosŏn'gŭl/Joseongeul the Korean alphabet, is the native alphabet of the Korean language. It is a separate script from Hanja, the logographic Chinese characters which are also sometimes used to write Korean... , is the most honored ruler in Korean history. |
Yes | |
No |
| Christmas Day 기독탄신일(基督誕辰日) (Gidoktansinil) |
December 25 | Christmas Christmas Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days... is commonly called "Seongtanjeol (성탄절,聖誕節)" in Korean Korean language Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing... (especially among Christians), but the official Korean name fixed by law is "Gidoktansinil"2. In South Korea, Korean Christianity is the one of two major religions, along with Buddhism. |
No | No | Yes |
| footnotes | 1 This is not a legal name. The legal name is simply "January 1" 2 The Sino-Korean word "jeol (절,節)' means 'the great holiday', and is only used for National Celebration Days in South Korean law. The word "il (일,日)" is for the names of general commemoration days. |
||||
National Celebration Days
These days celebrate events considered joyous to Korea. In the beginning, Independence Declaration DayMarch 1st Movement
The March 1st Movement, or Samil Movement, was one of the earliest public displays of Korean resistance during the occupation of the Korean Empire by Japan. The name refers to an event that occurred on March 1, 1919, hence the movement's name, literally meaning "Three-One Movement" or "March First...
(March 1) was first stipulated by the Law of U.S. Military Government in Korea
United States Army Military Government in Korea
The United States Army Military Government in Korea, also known as USAMGIK, was the official ruling body of the southern half of the Korean Peninsula from September 8, 1945 to August 15, 1948...
No.2(군정법률 제2호 "경축일공포의관한건") in 1946. After the establishment of the Government of the Republic of Korea
First Republic of South Korea
The First Republic of South Korea was South Korea's first independent government, ruling the country from 1948 to 1960. It succeeded USAMGIK, the United States military government, which ruled the area from 1945 to 1948. The First Republic was established on August 15, 1948, with Syngman Rhee as...
in 1948, four major National Celebration Days(Independence Declaration Day
March 1st Movement
The March 1st Movement, or Samil Movement, was one of the earliest public displays of Korean resistance during the occupation of the Korean Empire by Japan. The name refers to an event that occurred on March 1, 1919, hence the movement's name, literally meaning "Three-One Movement" or "March First...
, Constitution Day
Constitution of the Republic of Korea
The Constitution of the Republic of Korea is its basic law. It was promulgated on July 17, 1948, and last revised in 1987.- History :...
, Liberation Day
Gwangbokjeol
Gwangbokjeol, celebrated annually on August 15, is one of the Public holidays in South Korea. It commemorates Victory over Japan Day, which liberated Korea from colonial rule...
, National Foundation Day
Gaecheonjeol
Gaecheonjeol is a public holiday in South Korea on 3 October. Also known by the English name National Foundation Day, this holiday celebrates the creation of the state of Gojoseon founded by Dangun Wanggeom in the year 2333 BC....
) were provided by "The Law Concerning the National Celebration Days"(국경일에관한법률) in 1949.
In 2005, Hangul Day
Hangul Day
Hangul Day — also called Hangul Proclamation Day or Korean Alphabet Day — is a Korean national commemorative day marking the invention and the proclamation of hangul , the native alphabet of the Korean language, by King Sejong the Great. It is observed on October 9 in South Korea and on...
became the 5th National Celebration day.
National Flag Raising Days
All the National Celebration Days, January 1, Memorial DayMemorial Day (South Korea)
The South Korean Memorial Day is held every June 6 to commemorate men and women who died while in military service, during the Korean War and other significant wars or battles....
(half staff), Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day
Several nations of the world hold an annual Armed Forces Day in honor of their military forces. - Armenia :Բանակի օր is celebrated on 28 January to commemorate the formation of the armed forces of the newly independent Republic of Armenia in 1992....
are provided by Article 8 of the "National Flag Law"(대한민국국기법 제8조)). On these days, the raising of the taegukgi at every house and along every roadside is promoted.
Public Days Off
They are provided by the "Ordinance Concerning the Holidays of Government and Public Offices" (관공서의 공휴일에 관한 규정). This ordinance originally applied only to government and public offices, but most individual business offices also follow it.External links
- Korean public holidays - history and search by year.
- Korean public holidays - Korea Tourism OrganizationKorea Tourism OrganizationThe Korea Tourism Organization is a statutory organization of the Republic of Korea under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and is commissioned to promote the country's tourism industry.-Overview:...