National Day of South Korea (2026)

The National Day in South Korea, also known as the National Liberation Day of Korea, is celebrated annually on the 15th of August. The only Korean public holiday acknowledged by both the South and North Korea, the Liberation Day of Korea is known as Gwangbokjeol (“The Day the Light Returned”) in South Korea and Jogukhaebangŭinal (“Liberation of the Fatherland Day”) in North Korea. The Liberation Day marks the time when the Allied Forces (United States and Soviet Union) ended the Japanese colonial rule in Korea, which lasted from 1910 to 1945.

Here is everything you need to know about the National Liberation Day in South Korea.

Table of Contents

• Is National Day in South Korea a public holiday?
• History of National Liberation Day of South Korea
• Important Symbols of National Liberation Day in South Korea
• South Korea National Liberation Day Activities and Celebrations
• Past and Future Observances of National Liberation Day in South Korea

Is National Day in South Korea a public holiday?

A public holiday since 1949 in both South Korea and North Korea, the National Liberation Day is a public holiday. Schools and offices are closed during this day, although some businesses are still in operation.

History of National Liberation Day of South Korea

The 15th of August marks the end of Japanese imperial rule in the Korean peninsula. From 1910, both South and North Korea had been colonized by the Japanese. In 1945, shortly after the end of World War II, the combined forces of the Americans and Russians successfully liberated the peninsula. After three years, independent Korean governments were formed. On August 15, 1948, the Republic of Korea was established. However, it was divided into two leaderships. Syngman Rhee was appointed the first President of the Democratic People’s Republic of South Korea, while Kim Il-sung was appointed the first Leader of North Korea.

The Liberation Day of Korea was labeled as a public holiday in South Korea on October 1949. Known as Gwangbokjeol, which means the “Restoration of Light Day” or “The Day the Light Returned”, the National Liberation Day is seen as a reminder of the hope for the nation as the darkness of the Japanese colonial rule started to fade.

Important Symbols of National Liberation Day in South Korea

The National Liberation Day (National Day) of South Korea is annually celebrated on the 15th of August using various patriotic symbols. One of the most prominent symbolisms used by the South Koreans to mark the Liberation Day is the Korean flag. Travelers to South Korea would easily know that preparations for Gwangbokjeol are on the way because of the Korean flags hanging almost everywhere. The flags can be seen in buildings, trees, houses, cars, streetlights, doors, and windows.

As with every flag in the world, the national flag of South Korea, also called Taegeukgi, is the primary symbol of pride for South Koreans. The Taegeukgi consists of a white background, a red-and-blue Taeguk, and four black trigrams. Its white background symbolizes peace and purity. The Taeguk at the flag’s center, however, represents balance as it draws inspiration from the Yin and Yang. The four black trigrams at the corners depict the principles of reality taken from the Taoist Cosmology.

South Korea National Liberation Day Activities and Celebrations

The National Liberation Day of South Korea is observed through various activities organized across the country. Since this is a holiday which aims to remind South Koreans of the day the light was restored to the country, the whole nation is in a spirit of joyful celebrations.

The Liberation Day starts with an official ceremony at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan or at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. The President of South Korea attends this official ceremony. During official ceremonies, the official Gwangbokjeol song is also sung. Moreover, it is during the Liberation Day that the South Korean government grants special pardons.

Meanwhile, ordinary citizens in South Korea observe this special day by hanging the Korean flag in their homes. Office buildings, businesses, and government structures are also decorated with the Korean flag. Some South Koreans display the flag on their cars, too. On this day, government offices are closed. However, shopping centers, parks, and public museums are still open to the public. The descendants of independence activists are even given free admission to public museums and public transportation during the Liberation Day.

The entire South Korea celebrates the Gwangbokjeol with a festive mood. The San Pedro’s Korean Friendship Bell, a bronze bell housed in a stone pavilion in South Korea, is rung during this day. It is one of the five times annually that this particular bell is rung, in order to recognize the America’s bicentennial. The San Pedro’s Korean Friendship Bell was given by the United States to South Korea in 1976.

Furthermore, South Koreans from around the world celebrate Gwangbokjeol even if they are outside of the country. In the United States, cities with large Korean populations, particularly the Los Angeles area where over 100,000 Korean-Americans are living, celebrate the Liberation Day as they hang flags and organize events.

Past and Future Observances of National Liberation Day of South Korea

Below are the past and future observances of the National Liberation Day of South Korea over a span of ten years: