National Liberation Day of Korea

Gwangbokjeol

Korean independence activists are released, 1945
Official name Gwangbokjeol (South Korea)
Jogukhaebangŭi nal (North Korea)
Also called Liberation Day of Korea
Observed by Koreans
Type National, public
Significance Commemorates Victory over Japan Day, in which the United States and the Soviet Union liberated Korea from Imperial Japanese colonial rule which lasted from 1910 to 1945.
Date August 15
Next time 15 August 2017 (2017-08)
Liberation Day of Korea
South Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised Romanization Gwangbokjeol
McCune–Reischauer Kwangbokchŏl
North Korean name
Hangul 조국해방의 날
Hanja 의 날
Revised Romanization Jogukhaebangui nal
McCune–Reischauer Chogukhaebang'ŭi nal

The National Liberation Day of Korea, is celebrated annually on August 15 in both North and South Korea. It commemorates Victory over Japan Day, in which the Korean Peninsula was liberated from Imperial Japanese colonial rule by the United States and the Soviet Union.[1]

Etymology

In South Korea it is known as Gwangbokjeol (transliteration of Korean: literally, "the day the light returned"), and is one of the public holidays in South Korea. In North Korea it is known as Chogukhaebangŭi nal (literally Liberation of the Fatherland Day).

History

A Japanese flag at Seoul being lowered in 1945 as American soldiers watch.

After the Korean Peninsula was liberated by the Allies in 1945, independent Korean governments were created three years later, on August 15, 1948, when the pro-U.S. Syngman Rhee was elected first President of South Korea and pro-Soviet Kim Il-sung was made first Premier of North Korea. Gwangbokjeol was officially designated a public holiday on October 1, 1949 in South Korea[2] and is known as Chogukhaebangŭi nal (조국해방의 날; literally "Liberation of Fatherland Day") in North Korea.[3]

North Korea

Liberation day poster in Pyongyang, North Korea

North Korea currently celebrates this holiday along with South Korea. Liberation Day is the only Korean holiday that is celebrated by both countries.

South Korea

Public holiday

In South Korea, many activities and events happen during the day, including an official ceremony with the president in attendance that takes place at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan[2] or at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.[4]

All buildings and homes are encouraged to display the South Korean national flag Taegukgi. Not only are most public museums and places open free of charge to the descendants of independence activists on the holiday, but they can also travel on both public transport and intercity trains for free.[2]

The official "Gwangbokjeol song" (광복절 노래) is sung at official ceremonies. The song's lyrics were written by Jeong Inbo (정인보) and the melody by Yoon Yongha (윤용하).[2] The lyrics speak of "to touch the earth again" and how "the sea dances", how "this day is the remaining trace of 40 years of passionate blood solidified" and to "guard this forever and ever".[5]

The government traditionally issues special pardons on Gwangbokjeol.[6][7]

In 1974, Yuk Young-soo, First Lady of South Korea and spouse of Park Chung-hee, was assassinated by Mun Se-gwang at the National Theater of Korea in Seoul during a Gwangbokjeol ceremony.

References

Wikisource has original text related to this article:
  1. Park, Joo-hee (2014). "Performing Modernization of the Fatherland: Nationalism and School Theatre in South Korea during the Park Regime (19601979)". New York: Taylor & Francis. p. 52. ISBN 978-0-415-73910-8. Retrieved March 24, 2016. Korea was liberated in 1945 through active intervention of 'world powers, not by the efforts of independence fighters or the Korean provisional government in China.'
  2. 1 2 3 4 (Korean) Gwangbokjeol at Doosan Encyclopedia
  3. (Korean) Thinking of reunification through Gwangbokjeol, official blog of the Ministry of Unification
  4. (Korean) Gwangbokjeol ceremony, Yonhap News, 2009-08-15. Retrieved 2010-06-19
  5. (Korean) Gwangbokjeol Song at the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs
  6. (Korean) Gwangbokjeol pardons, Asia Today 2009-08-11. Retrieved 2010-06-19
  7. (Korean) Gwangbokjeol pardons, YTN 2009-08-11.Retrieved 2010-06-19
  8. Ho, Stewart (24 April 2012). "Kim Dong Wan's MBC Drama Receives Award at Houston International Film Festival". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  9. http://deiner.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=other&action=print&thread=4344

Further reading

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