HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS · 15
설날
Seollal (Lunar New Year)
The first day of the lunar year and one of Korea's two biggest holidays, with a three-day break.
새해 복 많이 받으세요.Happy New Year (literally, receive lots of luck).- 정월대보름Jeongwol DaeboreumThe first full moon of the lunar year, celebrated with wishes for health and a good harvest. It isn't a public holiday.
- 삼일절Independence Movement DayMarks the March 1st Movement of 1919, when Koreans across the country declared independence from Japanese colonial rule.
- 식목일Arbor DayA day for planting trees, set up after the country's forests were badly depleted. It was a public holiday until 2005 and is now a commemorative day.
- 어린이날Children's DayStarted in 1923 by Bang Jeong-hwan and his group to respect children; moved to May 5 after liberation and a public holiday since 1975.
- 어버이날Parents' DayA day to thank parents, grown out of Mother's Day in 1973. It isn't a public holiday.
- 스승의날Teachers' DaySet on May 15, King Sejong's birthday, to honor teachers. It isn't a public holiday.
- 부처님오신날Buddha's BirthdayCelebrates the birth of the Buddha on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month.
- 현충일Memorial DayHonors those who died for the country, including in the Korean War.
- 제헌절Constitution DayMarks the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea on July 17, 1948. It became a public holiday again from 2026.
- 광복절Liberation DayCelebrates liberation from Japanese colonial rule on August 15, 1945, and the founding of the government on the same date in 1948.
- 추석Chuseok (Harvest Festival)The harvest festival on the full moon of the 8th lunar month, with a three-day break — Korea's other biggest holiday.
- 개천절National Foundation DayCelebrates the legendary founding of Gojoseon, Korea's first kingdom, by Dangun.
- 한글날Hangeul DayCelebrates King Sejong's proclamation of the Korean alphabet, Hunminjeongeum, in 1446. It became a public holiday again in 2013.
- 동지Dongji (Winter Solstice)The winter solstice, the longest night of the year — once called “little Seollal.” It isn't a public holiday.