Public holidays in South Korea - wikipedia Public holidays in South Korea This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( October 2017 ) Public holidays in South Korea each belong to one or more of three categories : National Day ( Hangul : 국경일 ; Hanja : 國慶 日 ) National Flag Raising Day ( Hangul : 국기 게양 일 ; Hanja : 國旗 揭 揚 日 ) Public Holiday ( Hangul : 공휴일 ; Hanja : 公休 日 ) Each category has a different legal basis. All National Days are also Flag Raising Days. Contents 1 List of Public holidays in South Korea 2 National Celebration Days 3 National Flag Raising Days 4 Public Days Off 5 Dates in Solar Calendar of Korean New Year 's Day, Buddha 's Birthday, and Chuseok 6 See also 7 References 8 External links 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 신정 ( 新 正 ) Sinjeong 000000002018 - 01 - 01 - 0000 January 1 The official name of the holiday means New Calendar New Year 's Day no no yes Korean New Year 설날 Seolnal 000000002018 - 02 - 01 - 0000 1st day of 1st lunar month Also called Seol ( 설 ) or Gujeong ( Hangul : 구정 ; Hanja : 舊 正 ). The first day of the Korean 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. no no yes ( 3 days ) Independence Movement Day 3 1 절 ( 三 一 節 ) Samiljeol 000000002018 - 03 - 01 - 0000 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 어린이 날 Eorininal 000000002018 - 05 - 05 - 0000 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 000000002018 - 05 - 01 - 0000 8th day of 4th lunar month Formerly called Seokgatansinil ( Hangul : 석가 탄신일 ; Hanja : 釋迦 誕辰 日 ) ; also referred to as Sawol Chopail ( Hangul : 사월 초파일 ; Hanja : 四 月初 八 日 ). The birthday of Gautama Buddha. no no yes Memorial Day 현충일 ( 顯 忠 日 ) Hyeonchung - il 000000002018 - 06 - 06 - 0000 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 000000002018 - 07 - 17 - 0000 July 17 The day celebrates the promulgation of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea in 1948. yes yes No Liberation Day 광복절 ( 光復 節 ) Gwangbokjeol 000000002018 - 08 - 15 - 0000 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 ( Hangul : 광복 ) means `` restoration of light ''. yes yes yes Chuseok 추석 ( 秋 夕 ) Chuseok 000000002018 - 09 - 01 - 0000 15th day of 8th lunar month Also called Han - gawi ( Hangul : 한가위 ). Korean traditional harvest 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. no no yes ( 3 days ) National Foundation Day 개천절 ( 開 天 節 ) Gaecheonjeol 000000002018 - 10 - 03 - 0000 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 000000002018 - 10 - 09 - 0000 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 기독 탄신일 Gidoktansinil 000000002018 - 12 - 25 - 0000 December 25 Commonly called Seongtanjeol ( Hangul : 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 「 공직 선거법 」 제 34 조에 따른 임기 만료 에 의한 선거 의 선거일 Gongjikseongeobeop jesamsipsajoe ttareun imgimanryoe uihan seongeoeui seongeoil Not fixed. but always Wednesday. See Elections in South Korea. It commonly called Seongeoil ( Hangul : 선거일 ) or Seongeonal ( Hangul : 선거 날 ) ( 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. ) 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. 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 '' ( 국경일 에 관한 법률 ) 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 '' ( 대한민국 국기법 제 8 조 ). 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 '' ( 관공서 의 공휴일 에 관한 규정 ) This Regulation originally applied only to government and public offices, but most individual business offices also follow it. Dates in Solar Calendar of Korean New Year 's Day, Buddha 's Birthday, and Chuseok Year Korean New Year 's Day Buddha 's Birthday Chuseok February 10 ( Thu ) May 18 ( Wed ) September 20 ( Tue ) 1995 January 31 ( Tue ) May 7 ( Sun ) September 9 ( Sat ) February 19 ( Mon ) May 24 ( Fri ) September 27 ( Fri ) February 8 ( Sat ) May 14 ( Wed ) September 16 ( Tue ) 1998 January 28 ( Wed ) May 3 ( Sun ) October 5 ( Mon ) 1999 February 16 ( Tue ) May 22 ( Sat ) September 24 ( Fri ) 2000 February 5 ( Sat ) May 11 ( Thu ) September 12 ( Tue ) January 24 ( Wed ) April 30 ( Mon ) October 1 ( Mon ) 2002 February 12 ( Tue ) May 19 ( Sun ) September 21 ( Sat ) 2003 February 1 ( Sat ) May 8 ( Thu ) September 11 ( Thu ) January 22 ( Thu ) May 26 ( Wed ) September 28 ( Tue ) 2005 February 9 ( Wed ) May 15 ( Sun ) September 18 ( Sun ) 2006 January 29 ( Sun ) May 5 ( Fri ) October 6 ( Fri ) 2007 February 18 ( Sun ) May 24 ( Thu ) September 25 ( Tue ) 2008 February 7 ( Thu ) May 12 ( Mon ) September 14 ( Sun ) 2009 January 26 ( Mon ) May 2 ( Sat ) October 3 ( Sat ) February 14 ( Sun ) May 21 ( Fri ) September 22 ( Wed ) 2011 February 3 ( Thu ) May 10 ( Tue ) September 12 ( Mon ) 2012 January 23 ( Mon ) May 28 ( Mon ) September 30 ( Sun ) 2013 February 10 ( Sun ) May 17 ( Fri ) September 19 ( Thu ) 2014 January 31 ( Fri ) May 6 ( Tue ) September 8 ( Mon ) 2015 February 19 ( Thu ) May 25 ( Mon ) September 27 ( Sun ) 2016 February 8 ( Mon ) May 14 ( Sat ) September 15 ( Thu ) 2017 January 28 ( Sat ) May 3 ( Wed ) October 4 ( Wed ) 2018 February 16 ( Fri ) May 22 ( Tue ) September 24 ( Mon ) 2019 February 5 ( Tue ) May 12 ( Sun ) September 13 ( Fri ) 2020 January 25 ( Sat ) April 30 ( Thu ) October 1 ( Thu ) 2021 February 12 ( Fri ) May 19 ( Wed ) September 21 ( Tue ) 2022 February 1 ( Tue ) May 8 ( Sun ) September 10 ( Sat ) 2023 January 22 ( Sun ) May 27 ( Sat ) September 29 ( Fri ) 2024 February 10 ( Sat ) May 15 ( Wed ) September 17 ( Tue ) 2025 January 29 ( Wed ) May 5 ( Mon ) October 6 ( Mon ) 2026 February 17 ( Tue ) May 24 ( Sun ) September 25 ( Fri ) 2027 February 7 ( Sun ) May 13 ( Thu ) September 15 ( Wed ) 2028 January 27 ( Thu ) May 2 ( Tue ) October 3 ( Tue ) 2029 February 13 ( Tue ) May 20 ( Sun ) September 22 ( Sat ) 2030 February 3 ( Sun ) May 9 ( Thu ) September 12 ( Thu ) 2031 January 23 ( Thu ) May 28 ( Wed ) October 1 ( Wed ) 2032 February 11 ( Wed ) May 16 ( Sun ) September 19 ( Sun ) 2033 January 31 ( Mon ) May 6 ( Fri ) September 8 ( Thu ) 2034 February 19 ( Sun ) May 25 ( Thu ) September 27 ( Wed ) 2035 February 8 ( Thu ) May 15 ( Tue ) September 16 ( Sun ) 2036 January 28 ( Mon ) May 3 ( Sat ) October 4 ( Sat ) 2037 February 15 ( Sun ) May 22 ( Fri ) September 24 ( Thu ) 2038 February 4 ( Thu ) May 11 ( Tue ) September 13 ( Mon ) 2039 January 24 ( Mon ) April 30 ( Sat ) October 2 ( Sun ) 2040 February 12 ( Sun ) May 18 ( Fri ) September 21 ( Fri ) 2041 February 1 ( Fri ) May 7 ( Tue ) September 10 ( Tue ) 2042 January 22 ( Wed ) May 26 ( Mon ) September 28 ( Sun ) 2043 February 10 ( Tue ) May 16 ( Sat ) September 17 ( Thu ) 2044 January 30 ( Sat ) May 5 ( Thu ) October 5 ( Wed ) 2045 February 17 ( Fri ) May 24 ( Wed ) September 25 ( Mon ) 2046 February 6 ( Tue ) May 13 ( Sun ) September 15 ( Sat ) 2047 January 26 ( Sat ) May 2 ( Thu ) October 4 ( Fri ) 2048 February 14 ( Fri ) May 20 ( Wed ) September 22 ( Tue ) 2049 February 2 ( Tue ) May 9 ( Sun ) September 11 ( Sat ) 2050 January 23 ( Sun ) May 28 ( Sat ) September 30 ( Fri ) See also Culture of Korea Culture of South Korea Culture of North Korea Festivals of Korea Korean calendar Lunar Month Public holidays in North Korea References ^ Jump up to : `` 관공서 의 공휴일 에 관한 규정 ( Regulations on Holidays of Public Agencies ) ( korean ) ''. 국가 법령 정보 센터. Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 14 May 2018. ^ Jump up to : `` Regulations on Holidays of Public Agencies ( english ) ''. Archived 2018 - 05 - 14 at Archive.is Jump up ^ `` Article 34 of the Public Official Election Act ''. 한국 법제 연구원. Korea Legislation Research Intittute. Retrieved 14 May 2018. Jump up ^ Although 9 May 2017 is unscheduled election day caused by impeachment, it has been designated as a temporary holiday. Jump up ^ `` Presidential election to be held May 9 ''. Korea.net. Retrieved 14 May 2018. Jump up ^ 慶祝 日 公布 의 關 한 件 ( The Law Concerning Proclamation of a Celebration Day ) Archived 2009 - 02 - 03 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ 국경일 에 관한 법률 ( The Law Concerning the National Celebration Days ) Archived 2009 - 02 - 03 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ 대한민국 국기법 ( National Flag Law ) Archived 2009 - 02 - 02 at the Wayback Machine. External links Korean public holidays - history and search by year. Korean public holidays - Korea Tourism Organization Public holidays in Asia Sovereign states Afghanistan Armenia Azerbaijan Bahrain Bangladesh Bhutan Brunei Cambodia China Cyprus East Timor ( Timor - Leste ) Egypt Georgia India Indonesia Iran Iraq Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan North Korea South Korea Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Lebanon Malaysia Maldives Mongolia Myanmar Nepal Oman Pakistan Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Singapore Sri Lanka Syria Tajikistan Thailand Turkey Turkmenistan United Arab Emirates Uzbekistan Vietnam Yemen States with limited recognition Abkhazia Artsakh Northern Cyprus Palestine South Ossetia Taiwan Dependencies and other territories British Indian Ocean Territory Christmas Island Cocos ( Keeling ) Islands Hong Kong Macau Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Public_holidays_in_South_Korea&oldid=841161450 '' Categories : Public holidays in South Korea South Korea - related lists South Korean culture Lists of public holidays by country Hidden categories : Webarchive template archiveis links Webarchive template wayback links Articles needing additional references from October 2017 All articles needing additional references Articles containing Korean - language text Talk Contents About Wikipedia বাংলা 한국어 Bahasa Indonesia Қазақша 日本 語 Norsk Русский Українська Tiếng Việt 中文 4 more Edit links This page was last edited on 14 May 2018, at 11 : 20. 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Question: what is the most important holiday in south korea
Answer: Korean New Year