South Korea's National Holidays

Date: 12th of June 2013

Time: 9.00 p.m.

Place: Home

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In this post, I’ll highlight some important holidays or events celebrated in Korea, along with a brief description on what the celebrations are about.

Clockwise from top left: Spring, Summer, Winter, Autumn

Before I move on to holidays, let us look at the seasons that we have in Korea. Unlike Malaysia, Korea has four seasons, starting with Spring, which starts from late March to end of May, where the weather is warm in South Korea. Following Spring, it is Summer which starts from June and end on early September. And for sure, the weather during that period is hot. After having Summer, we will have Autumn (or known as Fall), where it is known to be the best season to visit Korea, wince it is mild weather. So, for those who planned to visit Korea, reserve any dates from September to November! Lastly, it’s Winter, which starts from December to mid-March. Although it is the coldest period of the year with heavy snow in both northern and eastern parts of Korea, but if one can withstand this weather, they can definitely enjoy themselves as it is the most favorable period for skiing. 

Now, let us have a general idea on what are the National Holidays in Korea.

The first day of the month of January, Jan 1, is a national holiday in Korea just like in any other countries. This day is known as ‘Sinjeong’ for Koreans. It is the day to celebrate the new year, a new beginning ahead. The next celebration is ‘Seollal’, which is actually Chinese New Year. Koreans called it as ‘Seollal’ or Lunar New Year. The word ‘Lunar’ comes from the Korean ancient calendar, called the Lunar calendar. The day of the celebrations is the same day as the Chinese New Year in Malaysia, with the same meaning as well; to celebrate the first day of Lunar Korean calendar or the Chinese calendar for the other countries, including Malaysia and China. This is also the day where the Koreans, especially the infants and children will wear the Korean traditional costumes, called ‘Hanbok’. This tradition continues even until today, but I think the tradition of wearing cheongsam during the Chinese New Year has stopped in both Malaysia and China. The food or dishes that are prepared during that day are ‘Ttokguk’ (sliced rice cake in soup) and ‘Manduguk’ (dumpling soup).

Manduguk

Tteokguk

                                                                                

Buddha's Day

Hwajeon

Buddha's Day

Meanwhile on 1st of March, it is Independence Movement Day, called ‘Samiljeol’. In 1919 under Japanese colonization, nationalist students declared their nation’s independence in Seoul through a reading to the public on that day, March 1. Next is Labor Day, which falls on 1st of May, where the date is the same for other countries as well. Following Labor Day on that month, it is Children’s Day which falls on 5th of May. On 17th May this year, Koreans which are Buddhist celebrated Buddha’s Birthday (Seokgatansin-il) on that day. The date for this event is not consistent as it follows the Lunar calendar, where it has to be on the 8th day of 4th month of the lunar calendar.  This event is also known as the Feast of the Lanterns or Lotus Lantern Festival. Lanterns will be lit and carried in parades in the evening on one day before Buddha’s Birthday and the food served on that day are ‘jjinddeok’ (rice cake) and ‘hwajeon’ (flower cake).

An important day to remember on 6th of June for the Koreans is the Memorial Day (Hyeonchung-il). It is the day to commemorate and remember the honor of the soldiers and civilians who had sacrificed their lives for the country during the independence movement. This big event is held in Seoul National Cemetery yearly. The Korea flag (Taegeukgi) will be at half-mast on that day. Some even said that right at 10 a.m, a siren will be heard, and everything including the traffics will be stopped for a moment to give respect for the ceremony. Meanwhile on August 15th, it is the Liberation Day, called ‘Gwangbokjeol’. It is the day in 1945, where Japan surrendered, resulting in national liberation of Korea. With the same date in the year 1948, South Korea’s government was formed, and therefore the term ‘gwangbok’ was used, which means the ‘restoration of light’. 

Tteok

Songpyeon

On the following month, Koreans will celebrate ‘Chuseok’, which is Mid-autumn Festival. This day is actually similar as the Mooncake festival celebrated by the Malaysian Chinese. The date for this festival is not permanent as well, since the date depends on the Lunar Korean calendar, which is on the 15th day of the 8th month of Lunar Calendar. For this year, is it set on the September 18 to 20. Chuseok is also an important festival for the Koreans just like the Lunar New Year (Seollal). Similarly, it is also an important date for the Chinese in other countries.  Unlike Malaysian Chinese who have mooncake as one of the most important dish to have during that day or in that month, Koreans serves different kinds of dish such as songpyeon (pine flavoured rice cake stuffed with chestnuts, sesame or beans), tteok (sweet rice cakes filled with honey), and torantang (taro soup). This day is usually referred to as the Thanksgiving Day or the Harvest Festival too. This is also the day where the family members will go back to their hometowns, gather to visit and clean their ancestral tombs and also to have a feast of Korean traditional food, such as the ones that I’ve mentioned above.

 

National Foundation Day

Google Korea, celebrates Hangul Day

King Sejong, the Great

Next is on the month of October, where there are two important dates to know as well and to remember for the Koreans. The first which falls on the 3rd of October, is the National Foundation Day. It is the day of the foundation of ‘Gojoseon’, found by Tangun, the legendary God-King in 2333 B.C. (3rd day 10th month on the Lunar Calendar). Koreans had fixed the date on October 3 for the convenience sake and so that they do not need to follow the Lunar Calendar anymore. After 6 days, it is another event which is the Hangul Proclamation Day (Hangeul-nal) on October 9. It is the day to remember the creation of Hangul characters, invented by King Sejong, the Great on the year 1443, and then proclaimed on the same date on year 1446 through publication.

Namsan Tower

Lotte World

Lastly, it is Christmas, on 25th of December, where it is celebrated internationally. In Korea, Christmas is called as ‘Gidoktansin-il’. 

That is all for the national holidays and festivals celebrated by the South Koreans. Here are some of the other celebrations in Korea that do not have national holiday for those events;  Arbor Day (April 5), Parents’ Day (May 8), Constitution Day (July 17), Armed Forces Day (October 1), Christmas Eve (December 24), and  lastly, New Year’s Eve (December 31). 

That is the end of this topic. Next week, we will look into ‘Hanbok’, the traditional costume for the Koreans, as well the traditional games played by them. Thanks for reading and update yourself on my post next week! =D

Sources:
Korea Tourism Organization
Time and Date - Holidays in South Korea
Footprints Recruiting - List of Holidays in Korea