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Public holidays in South Korea each belong to one or more of three categories:
Each category has a different legal basis. All national days are also flag-raising days.
English name | Korean name | Transliteration | Date | Remarks | National celebration day | Flag raising | Day off |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Year's Day | 신정 | Sinjeong | January 1 | The official name of the holiday means New Calendar New Year's Day | no | no | yes |
Korean New Year | 설날 | Seollal | 1st day of 1st lunar month | Also called Seol (설) or Gujeong (Korean : 구정; Hanja : 舊正). The first day of the Lunar calendar. It is one of the most important of the traditional Korean holidays, and is considered a more important holiday than the Gregorian New Year's Day. [1] | no | no | yes (3 days) |
Daeboreum | 정월 대보름 | jeong-wol daeboreum | 15th day of 1st lunar month | Daeboreum is a Korean holiday that celebrates the first full moon of the new year of the lunar Korean calendar which is the Korean version of the First Full Moon Festival. This holiday is accompanied by many traditions. | no | no | no |
Independence Movement Day | 3ㆍ1절 | Samiljeol | March 1 | This day commemorates the March 1st Movement in 1919. On March 1 of this year, 33 Korean nationalists and students declared their nation's independence in Seoul. It started a nationwide civil protest and was a catalyst for the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea (April 13, 1919). | yes | yes | yes |
Children's Day | 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 people including Bang Jeong-hwan (방정환) 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 | 부처님 오신 날 | Bucheonnim Osinnal | 8th day of 4th lunar month | Formerly called Seokgatansinil (Korean : 석가탄신일; Hanja : 釋迦誕辰日); also referred to as Sawol Chopail (Korean : 사월 초파일; Hanja : 四月初八日). The birthday of Gautama Buddha. [2] | no | no | yes |
Memorial Day | 현충일 | 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 at the Seoul National Cemetery and Daejeon National Cemetery. | no | half mast | yes |
Constitution Day | 제헌절 | Jeheonjeol | July 17 | The day celebrates the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea in 1948. | yes | yes | no (since 2008) |
Liberation Day | 광복절 | Gwangbokjeol | August 15 | The day celebrates the national liberation from the Empire of Japan in 1945. On the same day in 1948, the government of the Republic of Korea was established. The word Gwangbok (Korean : 광복) means "restoration of light". | yes | yes | yes |
Chuseok | 추석 | Chuseok | 15th day of 8th lunar month | Also called Han-gawi (Korean : 한가위). Korean traditional harvest and Mid-Autumn Festival. With Korean New Year, it is one of the most important Korean traditional holidays. As a celebration of the good harvest, Koreans visit their ancestral hometowns and feast on traditional food. [3] | no | no | yes (3 days) |
National Foundation Day | 개천절 | Gaecheonjeol | October 3 | The day celebrates the foundation of Gojoseon, the first state of the Korean nation. According to the Samguk Yusa , Dangun founded Gojoseon on the 3rd day of 10th lunar month, 2333 BC. Today, South Koreans celebrate their national foundation on October 3 according to the Gregorian calendar, for convenience sake. Gaecheonjeol means "Heaven-opened Day". | yes | yes | yes |
Hangul Day | 한글날 | Hangeulnal | October 9 | The day commemorates the invention (1443) and the proclamation (1446) of hangul, the native alphabet of the Korean language. King Sejong the Great, inventor of hangul, is one of the most honored rulers in Korean history. | yes | yes | yes |
Christmas | 크리스마스/성탄절 [4] [5] | Christmas/Seongtanjeol | December 25 | Commonly called Seongtanjeol (Korean : 성탄절; Hanja : 聖誕節), especially among Korean Christians. | no | no | yes |
Election days for elections on the termination of terms of office referred to in Article 34 of the Public Official Election Act | 「공직선거법」 제34조에 따른 임기만료에 의한 선거의 선거일 [4] [5] | Gongjikseongeobeop jesamsipsajoe ttareun imgimanryoe uihan seongeoeui seongeoil | Not fixed, but always on a Wednesday. [6] | See Elections in South Korea. It is commonly called Seongeoil (Korean : 선거일) or Seongeonal (Korean : 선거날) (Election Day), in short. The date of this holiday is limited to regular presidential election day, legislative election day, and local election day (excluding Early voting day, by-election day, referendum day or unscheduled election day caused by like impeachment). [7] [8] | no | no | yes |
These days celebrate events considered joyous to Korea. In the beginning, Independence Declaration Day (March 1) was first stipulated in 1946. [9] 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) [10] in 1949. In 2005, Hangul Day became the 5th National Celebration day.
All the National Celebration Days, Memorial Day (half staff), Armed Forces Day are provided by Article 8 of the "National Flag Law" (대한민국국기법 제8조). [11] On these days, the raising of the taegukgi at every house and along every roadside is promoted.
They are provided by the "Regulations on Holidays of Public Agencies" (관공서의 공휴일에 관한 규정) [4] [5] This Regulation originally applied only to government and public offices, but most individual business offices also follow it.
Year | Lunar New Year's Day | Buddha's Birthday | Chuseok |
---|---|---|---|
1994 | February 10 (Thu) | May 18 (Wed) | September 20 (Tue) |
1995 | January 31 (Tue) | May 7 (Sun) | September 9 (Sat) |
1996 | February 19 (Mon) | May 24 (Fri) | September 27 (Fri) |
1997 | February 8 (Sat) | May 14 (Wed) | September 16 (Tue) |
1998 | January 28 (Wed) | May 3 (Sun) | October 5 (Mon) |
1999 | February 16 (Tue) | May 22 (Sat) | September 24 (Fri) |
2000 | February 5 (Sat) | May 11 (Thu) | September 12 (Tue) |
2001 | January 24 (Wed) | May 1 (Tue) | October 1 (Mon) |
2002 | February 12 (Tue) | May 19 (Sun) | September 21 (Sat) |
2003 | February 1 (Sat) | May 8 (Thu) | September 11 (Thu) |
2004 | January 22 (Thu) | May 26 (Wed) | September 28 (Tue) |
2005 | February 9 (Wed) | May 15 (Sun) | September 18 (Sun) |
2006 | January 29 (Sun) | May 5 (Fri) | October 6 (Fri) |
2007 | February 18 (Sun) | May 24 (Thu) | September 25 (Tue) |
2008 | February 7 (Thu) | May 12 (Mon) | September 14 (Sun) |
2009 | January 26 (Mon) | May 2 (Sat) | October 3 (Sat) |
2010 | February 14 (Sun) | May 21 (Fri) | September 22 (Wed) |
2011 | February 3 (Thu) | May 10 (Tue) | September 12 (Mon) |
2012 | January 23 (Mon) | May 28 (Mon) | September 30 (Sun) |
2013 | February 10 (Sun) | May 17 (Fri) | September 19 (Thu) |
2014 | January 31 (Fri) | May 6 (Tue) | September 8 (Mon) |
2015 | February 19 (Thu) | May 25 (Mon) | September 27 (Sun) |
2016 | February 8 (Mon) | May 14 (Sat) | September 15 (Thu) |
2017 | January 28 (Sat) | May 3 (Wed) | October 4 (Wed) |
2018 | February 16 (Fri) | May 22 (Tue) | September 24 (Mon) |
2019 | February 5 (Tue) | May 12 (Sun) | September 13 (Fri) |
2020 | January 25 (Sat) | April 30 (Thu) | October 1 (Thu) |
2021 | February 12 (Fri) | May 19 (Wed) | September 21 (Tue) |
2022 | February 1 (Tue) | May 8 (Sun) | September 10 (Sat) |
2023 | January 22 (Sun) | May 27 (Sat) | September 29 (Fri) |
2024 | February 10 (Sat) | May 15 (Wed) | September 17 (Tue) |
2025 | January 29 (Wed) | May 5 (Mon) | October 6 (Mon) |
2026 | February 17 (Tue) | May 24 (Sun) | September 25 (Fri) |
2027 | February 7 (Sun) | May 13 (Thu) | September 15 (Wed) |
2028 | January 27 (Thu) | May 2 (Tue) | October 3 (Tue) |
2029 | February 13 (Tue) | May 20 (Sun) | September 22 (Sat) |
2030 | February 3 (Sun) | May 9 (Thu) | September 12 (Thu) |
2031 | January 23 (Thu) | May 28 (Wed) | October 1 (Wed) |
2032 | February 11 (Wed) | May 16 (Sun) | September 19 (Sun) |
2033 | January 31 (Mon) | May 6 (Fri) | September 8 (Thu) |
2034 | February 19 (Sun) | May 25 (Thu) | September 27 (Wed) |
2035 | February 8 (Thu) | May 15 (Tue) | September 16 (Sun) |
2036 | January 28 (Mon) | May 3 (Sat) | October 4 (Sat) |
2037 | February 15 (Sun) | May 22 (Fri) | September 24 (Thu) |
2038 | February 4 (Thu) | May 11 (Tue) | September 13 (Mon) |
2039 | January 24 (Mon) | April 30 (Sat) | October 2 (Sun) |
2040 | February 12 (Sun) | May 18 (Fri) | September 21 (Fri) |
2041 | February 1 (Fri) | May 7 (Tue) | September 10 (Tue) |
2042 | January 22 (Wed) | May 26 (Mon) | September 28 (Sun) |
2043 | February 10 (Tue) | May 16 (Sat) | September 17 (Thu) |
2044 | January 30 (Sat) | May 5 (Thu) | October 5 (Wed) |
2045 | February 17 (Fri) | May 24 (Wed) | September 25 (Mon) |
2046 | February 6 (Tue) | May 13 (Sun) | September 15 (Sat) |
2047 | January 26 (Sat) | May 2 (Thu) | October 4 (Fri) |
2048 | February 14 (Fri) | May 20 (Wed) | September 22 (Tue) |
2049 | February 2 (Tue) | May 9 (Sun) | September 11 (Sat) |
2050 | January 23 (Sun) | May 28 (Sat) | September 30 (Fri) |
General:
Father's Day is a holiday honoring one's father, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. The holiday complements similar celebrations honoring family members, such as Mother's Day and, in some countries, Siblings Day, and Grandparents' Day. The day is held on various dates across the world, and different regions maintain their own traditions of honoring fatherhood.
Vesak, also known as Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, and Buddha Day, is a holiday traditionally observed by Buddhists in South Asia and Southeast Asia, as well as Tibet and Mongolia. It is among the most important Buddhist festivals. The festival commemorates the birth, enlightenment (Nibbāna), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha in Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism and Navayana.
Flag Day is a holiday celebrated on June 14 in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The Flag Resolution stated "That the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation."
Victory over Japan Day is the day on which Imperial Japan surrendered in World War II, in effect bringing the war to an end. The term has been applied to both of the days on which the initial announcement of Japan's surrender was made – 15 August 1945, in Japan, and because of time zone differences, 14 August 1945 – as well as to 2 September 1945, when the surrender document was signed, officially ending World War II.
The national flag of Turkey, officially the Turkish flag, is a red flag featuring a white star and crescent on its emblem, a prominent symbol of the Ottoman Empire. Although the symbol is now a recognized symbol of Islam, it does not carry any religious meaning on the Turkish flag. The flag is often called "the red flag", and is referred to as "the red banner" in the Turkish national anthem. The measures, geometric proportions, and exact tone of red of the flag of Turkey were legally standardized with the Turkish Flag Law on 29 May 1936.
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country. In 1925, International Children's Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Since 1950, it is celebrated on 1 June in many countries, which follow the suggestion from Women's International Democratic Federation. World Children's Day is celebrated on 20 November to commemorate the Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1959. In some countries, it is Children's Week and not Children's Day. The Sikhs celebrate Children Day on 20 December to 27 December.
Emperor's Birthday is an annual Public holiday in Japan celebrating the birthday of the reigning Emperor, which is currently 23 February as Emperor Naruhito was born on that day in 1960. It is enforced by the Emperor Abdication Law passed in 2017.
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the armed forces, or one of their branches, of a sovereign state, including their personnel, history, achievements, and perceived sacrifices. It's often patriotic or nationalistic in nature, carrying propaganda value outside of the conventional boundaries of a military's subculture and into the wider civilian society. Many nations around the world observe this day. It is usually distinct from a Veterans or Memorial Day, as the former is dedicated to those who previously served and the latter is dedicated to those who perished in the fulfillment of their duties.
Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States which commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States of America.
A list of current public holidays in South Africa:
Buddha's Birthday or Buddha Day is a primarily Buddhist festival that is celebrated in most of South, Southeast and East Asia, commemorating the birth of the prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism. According to Buddhist tradition and archaeologists, Gautama Buddha, c. 563-483 BCE, was born at Lumbini in Nepal. Buddha's mother was Queen Maya Devi, who delivered the Buddha while undertaking a journey to her native home, and his father was King Śuddhodana. The Mayadevi Temple, its gardens, and an Ashoka Pillar dating from 249 BCE mark the Buddha's birthplace at Lumbini.
Parents' Day is observed in South Korea on May 8 and in the United States on the fourth Sunday of July. The South Korean designation was established in 1973, replacing the Mother's Day previously marked on May 8, and includes public and private celebrations. The United States day was created in 1994 under President Bill Clinton. June 1 has also been proclaimed as "Global Day of Parents" by the United Nations as a mark of appreciation for the commitment of parents towards their children. In the Philippines, while it is not strictly observed or celebrated, the first Monday of December each year is proclaimed as Parents' Day.
The National Liberation Day of Korea is a public holiday celebrated annually on 15 August in both South and North Korea. It commemorates the day when Korea was liberated from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule by the Allies in 1945. The day also coincides with the anniversary of the founding of South Korea in 1945.
Victory Day is a commonly used name for public holidays in various countries, where it commemorates a nation's triumph over a hostile force in a war or the liberation of a country from hostile occupation. In many cases, multiple countries may observe the same holiday, with the most prominent united celebrations occurring in states that comprised the Allies of World War II, celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany.
National Foundation Day is an annual public holiday in Japan on 11 February, celebrating the foundation of Japan, enforced by a specific Cabinet Order set in 1966. 11 February is the accession date of the legendary first Emperor of Japan, Emperor Jimmu at Kashihara-gū, converted into Gregorian calendar of 660 BC which is written in Kojiki and chapter 3 of Nihon Shoki. Coincidentally, 11 February 1889 is the day of the promulgation of the Meiji Constitution.
The Government of South Korea is the national government of the Republic of Korea, created by the Constitution of South Korea as the executive, legislative and judicial authority of the republic. The president acts as the head of state and is the highest figure of executive authority in the country, followed by the prime minister and government ministers in decreasing order.
Independence Day is a national holiday in the Philippines observed annually on June 12, commemorating the declaration of Philippine independence from Spain in 1898. Since 1978, it has been the country's National Day.
National Day, officially the National Day of the People's Republic of China (中华人民共和国国庆节), is a public holiday in China celebrated annually on 1 October as the national day of the People's Republic of China, commemorating Mao Zedong's formal proclamation of the establishment of the People's Republic of China on 1 October 1949. The Chinese Communist Party victory in the Chinese Civil War resulted in the Kuomintang retreat to Taiwan and the Chinese Communist Revolution whereby the People's Republic of China replaced the Republic of China.
Seollal is a Korean traditional festival and national holiday commemorating the first day of the lunisolar calendar. It is one of the most important traditional holidays for ethnic Koreans, being celebrated in both North Korea and South Korea as well as Korean diaspora all around the world.
International Workers' Day, also known as Labour Day in some countries and often referred to as May Day, is a celebration of labourers and the working classes that is promoted by the international labour movement and occurs every year on 1 May, or the first Monday in May.