National Foundation Day (October 3)

Called Gaecheonjeol Day, this is the day when Dangun (the mythical "first Korean.") was supposed to have founded the Korean nation about 4,300 years ago. Ask locals for the full story — it's quite surprising.

Christmas (December 25)

Christmas Day is an official holiday since about half of Koreans who claim a religion are Christian. Quite differently from the West, young people go out to parties on December 25 and spend January 1 and/or December 31 with their families. You will have to work on December 24 and December 26. Christmas Eve and Boxing Day have no special significance in Korea and Christmas Day itself may feel more like any-old-day off to Westerners. Note that in many Asian countries, December 25 is not a holiday at all. Many language schools offer December 25 through January 2 as a paid winter break.

Korean Public Holidays in 2008

• 1 January - New Year's Day

• 6-8 February – Lunar New Year (3 days)*

• 1 March – Independence Movement Day

• 1 May - Labor Day

• 5 May – Children's Day

• 12 May - Buddha's Birthday*

• 6 June – Memorial Day

• 17 July – Constitution Day

• 15 August – Liberation Day

• 13-15 September - Chu-Seok (3 days)*

• 3 October – National Foundation Day

• 25 December – Christmas Day

Korean Public Holidays in 2009

• 1 January - New Year's Day

• 25-27 January – Lunar New Year (3 days)*

• 1 March – Independence Movement Day

• 1 May - Labor Day

• 2 May - Buddha's Birthday*

• 5 May – Children's Day

• 6 June – Memorial Day

• 17 July – Constitution Day

• 15 August – Liberation Day

• 3 October – National Foundation Day

• 29-31 October - Chu-Seok (3 days)*

• 25 December – Christmas Day

These holidays are scheduled according to the Korean lunar calendar and are on different dates each year (within a one-month range, like Easter). The government has yet to declare precisely which days will be officially observed for these three holidays in 2009. All the other holidays will be on the same date in 2009. orean Holidays

January 1: New Year's Day --The first three days of the New Year are generally celebrated. The majority of the Korean people traditionally observe the holidays by the lunar calendar, as they have done for many centuries.

March 1: Independence Movement Day--Koreans observe the anniversary of the March 1, 1919 Independence Move against Japanese rule.

8th day of the 4th month by the lunar calendar: Budda's Birthday--Solemn rituals are held at Buddhist temples, and the day's festival is climaxed by a lantern parade.

May 5: Children's Day--This day is celebrated with various programs for children throughout the country, who enjoy themselves to the full with their parents.

5th day of the 5th month by the lunar calendar: Dano Festival --This is one of the great national holidays.

June 6th: Memorial Day--On this day the nation pays tribute to the war dead, and memorial services are held at the National Cemetery in Seoul. A highlight of the festival are wrestling contests among the young men.

July 17th: Constitution Day--This day commemorates the adoption of the Republic of Korea Constitution in 1948.

August 15th: Liberation Day--On this day in 1945 Korea was liberated from Japan after 36 years of colonial rule.

October 1st: Armed Forces Day--The day is celebrated with colorful programs such as military parades, honor guard ceremonies, etc.

October 3rd: National Foundation Day--This day marks the traditional founding of Korea by Tangun (B.C. 2333).

15th day of the 8th month by the lunar calendar: Chusok of Moon Festival Day --Viewing the full moon is a feature of the evening. It is one of the great national holidays of the year and is the Korean version of Thanksgiving Day.

October 9th: Han'Gul (Korean Alphabet) Day --This day celebrates the anniversary of the promulgation of Han'Gul by King Sejong of the Yi Dynasty in 1446.

December 25: Christmas--Christians and others citizens celebrate this holy day as in the West.