Public holidays in South Korea

Public holidays in South Korea each belong to one or more of three categories:

  • National day (Korean: 국경일; Hanja: 國慶日)
  • National flag raising day (Korean: 국기게양일; Hanja: 國旗揭揚日)
  • Public holiday (Korean: 공휴일; Hanja: 公休日)

Each category has a different legal basis. All national days are also flag raising days.

List of public holidays in South Korea

English name Korean name Transliteration Date Remarks National celebration day Flag raising Day off
New Year's Day 새해 (新正). Saehae January 1 The official name of the holiday means New Calendar New Year's Day no no yes
Lunar 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)
Independence Movement Day 3·1절 (三一節) 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 persons 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 (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 at the Seoul National Cemetery. no half mast yes
Constitution Day 제헌절(制憲節) 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 (光復節) 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 (秋夕) 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 (開天節) 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 기독탄신일[4][5] Gidoktansinil 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 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

National celebration days

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.

National flag raising days

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.

Public days off

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.

Dates in solar calendar of Lunar New Year's Day, Buddha's Birthday, and Chuseok

Year Lunar New Year's Day Buddha's Birthday Chuseok
1994February 10 (Thu)May 18 (Wed)September 20 (Tue)
1995January 31 (Tue)May 7 (Sun)September 9 (Sat)
1996February 19 (Mon)May 24 (Fri)September 27 (Fri)
1997February 8 (Sat)May 14 (Wed)September 16 (Tue)
1998January 28 (Wed)May 3 (Sun)October 5 (Mon)
1999February 16 (Tue)May 22 (Sat)September 24 (Fri)
2000February 5 (Sat)May 11 (Thu)September 12 (Tue)
2001January 24 (Wed)April 30 (Mon)October 1 (Mon)
2002February 12 (Tue)May 19 (Sun)September 21 (Sat)
2003February 1 (Sat)May 8 (Thu)September 11 (Thu)
2004January 22 (Thu)May 26 (Wed)September 28 (Tue)
2005February 9 (Wed)May 15 (Sun)September 18 (Sun)
2006January 29 (Sun)May 5 (Fri)October 6 (Fri)
2007February 18 (Sun)May 24 (Thu)September 25 (Tue)
2008February 7 (Thu)May 12 (Mon)September 14 (Sun)
2009January 26 (Mon)May 2 (Sat)October 3 (Sat)
2010February 14 (Sun)May 21 (Fri)September 22 (Wed)
2011February 3 (Thu)May 10 (Tue)September 12 (Mon)
2012January 23 (Mon)May 28 (Mon)September 30 (Sun)
2013February 10 (Sun)May 17 (Fri)September 19 (Thu)
2014January 31 (Fri)May 6 (Tue)September 8 (Mon)
2015February 19 (Thu)May 25 (Mon)September 27 (Sun)
2016February 8 (Mon)May 14 (Sat)September 15 (Thu)
2017January 28 (Sat)May 3 (Wed)October 4 (Wed)
2018February 16 (Fri)May 22 (Tue)September 24 (Mon)
2019February 5 (Tue)May 12 (Sun)September 13 (Fri)
2020January 25 (Sat)April 30 (Thu)October 1 (Thu)
2021February 12 (Fri)May 19 (Wed)September 21 (Tue)
2022February 1 (Tue)May 8 (Sun)September 10 (Sat)
2023January 22 (Sun)May 27 (Sat)September 29 (Fri)
2024February 10 (Sat)May 15 (Wed)September 17 (Tue)
2025January 29 (Wed)May 5 (Mon)October 6 (Mon)
2026February 17 (Tue)May 24 (Sun)September 25 (Fri)
2027February 7 (Sun)May 13 (Thu)September 15 (Wed)
2028January 27 (Thu)May 2 (Tue)October 3 (Tue)
2029February 13 (Tue)May 20 (Sun)September 22 (Sat)
2030February 3 (Sun)May 9 (Thu)September 12 (Thu)
2031January 23 (Thu)May 28 (Wed)October 1 (Wed)
2032February 11 (Wed)May 16 (Sun)September 19 (Sun)
2033January 31 (Mon)May 6 (Fri)September 8 (Thu)
2034February 19 (Sun)May 25 (Thu)September 27 (Wed)
2035February 8 (Thu)May 15 (Tue)September 16 (Sun)
2036January 28 (Mon)May 3 (Sat)October 4 (Sat)
2037February 15 (Sun)May 22 (Fri)September 24 (Thu)
2038February 4 (Thu)May 11 (Tue)September 13 (Mon)
2039January 24 (Mon)April 30 (Sat)October 2 (Sun)
2040February 12 (Sun)May 18 (Fri)September 21 (Fri)
2041February 1 (Fri)May 7 (Tue)September 10 (Tue)
2042January 22 (Wed)May 26 (Mon)September 28 (Sun)
2043February 10 (Tue)May 16 (Sat)September 17 (Thu)
2044January 30 (Sat)May 5 (Thu)October 5 (Wed)
2045February 17 (Fri)May 24 (Wed)September 25 (Mon)
2046February 6 (Tue)May 13 (Sun)September 15 (Sat)
2047January 26 (Sat)May 2 (Thu)October 4 (Fri)
2048February 14 (Fri)May 20 (Wed)September 22 (Tue)
2049February 2 (Tue)May 9 (Sun)September 11 (Sat)
2050January 23 (Sun)May 28 (Sat)September 30 (Fri)

See also

References

  1. "Celebrating Seollal in Korea".
  2. "Korean Language in Culture And Society".
  3. "Celebrating Chuseok".
  4. "관공서의 공휴일에 관한 규정(Regulations on Holidays of Public Agencies)(korean)". 국가법령정보센터. Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  5. "Regulations on Holidays of Public Agencies(english)". Archived from the original on 2018-05-14. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  6. "Article 34 of the Public Official Election Act". 한국법제연구원. Korea Legislation Research Intittute. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  7. Although 9 May 2017 is unscheduled election day caused by impeachment, it has been designated as a temporary holiday.
  8. "Presidential election to be held May 9". Korea.net. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  9. 慶祝日公布의關한件(The Law Concerning Proclamation of a Celebration Day) Archived 2009-02-03 at Archive.today
  10. 국경일에 관한 법률(The Law Concerning the National Celebration Days) Archived 2009-02-03 at Archive.today
  11. 대한민국국기법 (National Flag Law) Archived 2009-02-02 at Archive.today
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