Gwangbokjeol | Asia Society Skip to main content
  • Back to asiasociety.org
  • About
    • About Asia Society
    • Our People
    • Financial Statements
    • Contact Us
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
    • Event Recaps
  • Support
    • Individual Membership
    • Corporate Membership
    • Corporate Supporters
  • Blog
    • All Posts
    • Ambassador Interviews
    • East Asia Coverage
    • Event Recaps
    • Get to Know Us
    • Healthy Food of Asia
    • Innovative Minds
    • Korean Beauty
    • Meet the Author
    • Monthly Luncheon
    • North Korea Coverage
    • ROK'n Seoul
    • Student Programs
  • 아시아소사이어티 소개
    • 코리아센터 사람들
    • 오시는 길
  • 활동
    • 2014 프로그램
    • 2015 프로그램
    • 2016 프로그램
    • 2017 프로그램
    • 2018 프로그램
    • 2019 프로그램
    • 2020 프로그램
    • 프로그램 일정
  • 후원 안내
    • 법인 회원
    • 개인 회원
  • 블로그
Korea
Search
asiasociety.org
Korea
Search
  • About
    • About Asia Society
    • Our People
    • Financial Statements
    • Contact Us
  • Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Past Events
    • Event Recaps
  • Support
    • Individual Membership
    • Corporate Membership
    • Corporate Supporters
  • Blog
    • All Posts
    • Ambassador Interviews
    • East Asia Coverage
    • Event Recaps
    • Get to Know Us
    • Healthy Food of Asia
    • Innovative Minds
    • Korean Beauty
    • Meet the Author
    • Monthly Luncheon
    • North Korea Coverage
    • ROK'n Seoul
    • Student Programs
  • 아시아소사이어티 소개
    • 코리아센터 사람들
    • 오시는 길
  • 활동
    • 2014 프로그램
    • 2015 프로그램
    • 2016 프로그램
    • 2017 프로그램
    • 2018 프로그램
    • 2019 프로그램
    • 2020 프로그램
    • 프로그램 일정
  • 후원 안내
    • 법인 회원
    • 개인 회원
  • 블로그

  • All Posts
  • Ambassador Interviews
  • East Asia Coverage
  • Event Recaps
  • Get to Know Us
  • Healthy Food of Asia
  • Innovative Minds
  • Korean Beauty
  • Meet the Author
  • Monthly Luncheon
  • North Korea Coverage
  • ROK'n Seoul
  • Student Programs

Gwangbokjeol

Photo credit: Nomad Within

August 15, 2014, SEOUL - August 15 marks one of the most important public holidays in the Korean calendar, Independence Day or Gwangbokjeol as it is known locally. Translated literally, it means "Restoration of Light Day”, and celebrates the victory over Japan which liberated Korea from 35 years of Japanese colonial rule on August 15, 1945. August 15 also commemorates the formation of the very first South Korean government three years later under Syngman Rhee, on August 15, 1948.

Gwangbokjeol is one of the few public holidays that are shared with North Korea who also celebrate “Liberation Day” on August 15. The Japanese colonial rule from 1910-1945 was a dark period for the then unified Korea as Japanese colonialism was often quite harsh as Japan ruled directly through military might, and any Korean resistance was forcefully put down. This led to a nationwide protest and the foundation of “The March 1st Movement” in 1919 which pushed for national independence. March 1 is also celebrated as a modern national holiday to commemorate the 33 Korean nationalists and students who took part in this declaration of independence.

It was during the Japanese wartime mobilization of 1937-45 that Korea suffered the most during colonization as Korean men were forced to fight on the frontline for Japan or were sent to work in Japanese factories, while many young Korean women were drafted as “Comfort Women” for Japanese soldiers. After the defeat of Japan in 1945, Korea was liberated but only until 1948 when the Soviets backed Kim Il Sung was appointed the new leader of North Korea and Sygnman Rhee was formally installed as the first president of South Korea.

Today the public holiday in South Korea is celebrated with festivities, ceremonies, and parades nationwide. The Taegeukgi, South Korea’s national flag, can be seen along many streets to honor the heroes who fought for the nation’s freedom, and many people are encouraged to follow suit by displaying the Korean flag outside of their homes. Korean Liberation Day is a statutory holiday in South Korea so that most schools, businesses, government offices, and banks are closed during the day however many hotels, restaurants, and places of interests in Korea remain open. The Independence Hall of Korea situated in Cheonan will be hosting parades and a series of events to commemorate and remember this important day in Korean history.
   

  • All Posts
  • Ambassador Interviews
  • East Asia Coverage
  • Event Recaps
  • Get to Know Us
  • Healthy Food of Asia
  • Innovative Minds
  • Korean Beauty
  • Meet the Author
  • Monthly Luncheon
  • North Korea Coverage
  • ROK'n Seoul
  • Student Programs
We Know Asia,
Get to Know Us

Visit Us

  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas

Global Network

  • Australia
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC

Resources

  • Arts
  • Asia Blog
  • ChinaFile
  • Current Affairs
  • Education
  • For Kids
  • Policy
  • Video

Shop

  • AsiaStore

Initiatives

  • Arts & Museum Summit
  • Asia 21 Young Leaders
  • Asia Arts Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Game Changer Awards
  • Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network
  • Asia Society Policy Institute
  • Center for Global Education
  • Center on U.S.-China Relations
  • China Learning Initiatives
  • Coal + Ice
  • Creative Voices of Muslim Asia
  • Global Cities Education Network
  • Global Learning Beyond School
  • Global Talent Initiatives
  • Int'l Studies Schools Network
  • U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit
  • U.S.-China Dialogue
  • U.S.-China Museum Summit

About Asia Society

  • Mission & History
  • Our People
  • Become a Member
  • Career Opportunities
  • Corporate Involvement

Connect

  • Email Signup
  • For the Media

©2021 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | About AsiaSociety.org | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact

Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government.
The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Learn more.

 

 

  • Visit Us
  • Hong Kong
  • New York
  • Texas
  • Global Network
  • Australia
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Northern California
  • Philippines
  • Southern California
  • Switzerland
  • Washington, DC