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January 1 : New Year's Day
Although Koreans observe holidays by the lunar calendar, this holiday is also
observed just for one day.
Lunar
January 1 to 3 : Lunar New Year's Days (usally falling in January or February)
One of the most important holidays of the year, running for three days, during which
people visit their hometowns to be with family and to pay homage to the
ancestors. Members of the family get up early, visit on their elders,
reaffirming family ties. All the transportations are congested naionwide and the roads
are packed with vehicles. It is not a good idea to travel during these
holidays. Traditional clothes are worn during these holidays, but the number of
people wearing them is on the decline, especially number of
the female.
March
1 : Independence Movement Day
The anniversary of the March 1, 1919 Declaration of Independence proclaimed
against Japanese colonial rule.
April
5 : Arbor Day
Trees are planted across the country as part of the nation's vast reforestation
program.
May
1 : Labor Day
Although Labor Day is not a government holiday, banks and business
establishments are closed and many people enjoy a day off.
Lunar April 8 : Buddhist Day (usally
falling in April or May)
Along with the Christmas Day, this
religious holiday is observed as a national holiday. But unlike the Christmas
Day, people do not exchange gifts among themselves. Only Buddhist followers are
serving the day in the temples across the nation.
May
5 : Children's Day
Parents dress up the little ones and take them to children's parks, amusement
parks or zoos for a full day of fun and games.
June
6 : Memorial Day
The nation pays tribute to the war dead. Memorial services are held at the
National Cemetery in southern Seoul and at other locations.
July
17 : Constitution Day
This holiday commemorates the adoption of Republic of Korea's constitution in
1948.
August
15 : Liberation Day
On this day in 1945, Korea was Liberated from Japan after 35 years of colonial
rule that started in 1910 following the collapse of Chosun Dynasty.
Lunar
August 14 to 16 : Chusok - Thanksgiving Days (falling in September or October)
This Harvest Moon Festival, running for three days, can be said as the Korean
version of Thanksgiving holiday. It is one of the most important holidays of
the year along with Lunar New Year. Others are the same as Lunar New Year
holidays. Traffics are terrible all across the nation, especially one day earlier
(when going to hometowns) and the last day
of the holidays (when returning home).
October
3 : National Foundation Day
This day marks the traditional founding in 2333 B.C. of Korea by Tangun, the
legendary founder of the country, who was the son between a woman and a bear.
December
25 : Christmas Day
Although it is a Christian holiday, the nation celebrates the day as an
official holiday. Even many non-Christians enjoy exchanging gifts in the sprit
of Christmas.
Other national holidays : Others national holidays are designated by the
Korean government when necessary, like
general elections, presidential election, or local autonomy elections, but the
days for by-elections or re-elections are
not designated as national holidays. Even
when
a national holiday falls on Sunday, the
next Monday is not off.
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