Korean National Liberation Day

This August 15 is "Kwangbok-jeol", the Korea’s national liberation day. "Kwangbok" means "regaining the light", indicating the day when Korea regained its lost sovereignty. Let's learn about the National Liberation Day, one of the five biggest national holidays in Korea.

"Kwangbok-jeol" the Korea’s liberation day is the day celebrating liberation from Japanese colonial rule by Japan's surrender during World War II. It also celebrates the birth of the Republic of Korea government three years later.

Before Korea's liberation, there were great sacrifices. From 1910 to 1945, under Japanese colonial rule, Korea continued its independence movements all over the world and tried to regain its country. Many of the independence activists were tortured and killed in the process.

 

 

Then the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima in August 1945, and Japan surrendered on the 15th of the month. As Japan lost World War II, it had to free all its colonies and Korea gained independence.

 

 

Exactly three years later, on August 15, 1948, Korea declared its independence toward the world. The Republic of Korea government was established and approved by the United Nations. At this time, "Kwangbok-jeol" Korean liberation day was declared one of the four national holidays.

 

* As Hangeul Proclamation Day was added as a national holiday in 2005, there are 5 national holidays in Korea.

On Liberation Day, every household hangs "Taegukki", the flag of Korea to celebrate the "Kwangbok-jeol" and honor those who fought for independence. On Kwangbok-jeol, I recommend you to watch the movie "The Age of Shadows" and "Spirits’ Homecoming, Unfinished Story" that you can understand the historical background.