Korea in Brief

In Korea, government offices, banks and most companies are closed on national holidays. However, you should not have difficulty as a tourist because royal palaces, museums, restaurants, amusement parks and public transportation systems carry on with business as usual.

Since Korean national holidays have unique meanings and may involve unique events and traditions, we recommend that you check the holidays before you visit Kore

• January 1, New Year's Day
Like in other countries, New Year's Day has significant meaning in Korea.

Koreans ring the bell at Bosingak 33 times at the moment when the day turns to the New Year (midnight on December 31st). They hold a brilliant festival welcoming the New Year. At this time, the area around Jongno is crowded with people.

Most Koreans celebrate lunar New Year's Day, but some families have events which treat January 1st as the New Year. Therefore, January 1st is not only the first day of the year but also a traditional holiday for Koreans.

• Lunar New Year, Seollal
Lunar New Year's Day is much more significant in Korea than is the 1st day of January.

Koreans call this day Seollal and consider it to be one of the largest holidays of the year. At this time, most Koreans visit their hometown. Therefore, most stores and businesses are closed and all the roads connected with the provinces seem to be a parking lot due to the innumerable cars waiting on them.

It may be difficult for foreigners to understand such an exodus, but it is an old tradition for families and relatives to come together and hold worship services for family ancestors. This practice has been handed down from generation to generation.

• March 1, Independence Movement Day (Samiljeol)
This day commemorates the Declaration of Independence proclaimed on March 1, 1919 while under Japanese colonization. At that time the people cheered against Japan and announced their Declaration of Independence at Tapgol Park.

• April 5, Arbor Day
This day was created with a tree planting campaign held in Nebraska in the United States. It was proclaimed a holiday by presidential decree on June 15, 1970.

Today, though enthusiasm for the tree planting has gradually calmed, the establishment of Arbor Day enables the mountainous regions covering more than 70% of the Korean landscape to be filled with lush forests..

• Lunar April 8, Buddha's Birthday
This day commemorates Buddha's birthday and is also called Chopail.

Memorial events are performed at many Buddhist temples across the country and lotus lanterns are hung up side by side in the courtyard of temples and on the streets. In the evening, buddhists light lotus lanterns and hold parades while carrying these lanterns

• May 5, Children's Day
Children's Day was designated to cherish the rights of children and to encourage their happiness.

Many facilities including the royal palaces offer children free admission or discounts on this day. This is the day most children wait for with each coming year

• June 6, Memorial Day
People pray for the repose of patriotic martyrs and soldiers who dedicated their lives to the country and they seek to commemorate their loyalty.

A commemorative event is held in the National Cemetery and the whole nation pays a one minute silent tribute while a siren blows at 10:00 in the morning.

• July 17, Constitution Day
This day commemorates the proclamation of the Korean constitution on July 17, 1948.

Various memorial events are held to show respect for the constitution and to allow meditation on the spirit of democracy.

• August 15, Liberation Day
This day commemorates both the independence of Korea from Japan on August 15, 1945 and the establishment of the Korean government on August 15, 1948.

• Lunar August 15, Chuseok
Chuseok is one of the most significant holidays along with Seollal and is called Hangawi (Harvest Moon Festival) or Jungchujeol (Mid-Autumn Festival). Chuseok is referred to as Thanksgiving Day like the holiday of that name in western countries, and people give thanks for the harvesting of the crops on this day.

Like on Seollal, most stores and businesses are closed and family members come from all parts of the country to visit their ancestral homes.

• October 3, National Foundation Day
This day commemorates the foundation of Gojoseon, the Korean nation at the first, established by Dangun in BC 2333.

A simple ceremony to reenact those days is held on the altar called Chamseongdan at the top of Manisan, Gangwado. This altar is said to have been erected by Dangun to offer thanks to heaven.

• December 25, Christmas
This day celebrates the birthday of Jesus Christ.

Christmas is observed as a national holiday in Korea, as in many other countries. Celebration events are held in churches throughout the country and at dawn people sing hymns in front of houses while holding candles.