Gwangbokjeol: Korea's Independence Day!

    Monday was a holiday here in Korea.  Hooray for days off from work!!!!

   I also shout "hooray" for new learning opportunities... so I thought I'd share some information about this here.     This is part of the reading I did for my Reading classes this week.  (I did two different versions, as my students are at various levels.)  My students, of course, should know all about it - but this was a good review of some new English words.  You are getting the information here, without the pictures, but I hope you still enjoy it.

What is Gwangbokjeol?

   This is a holiday to celebrate Korea’s independence from Japan.  South Korea celebrates its Independence Day as a public holiday. 

  This is the day that marks the freedom of the country.  In this day, the country gets complete liberty.  This means that they are no longer under or a part of any province or state. 

  In Korea, Independence day is also called Liberation Day.  In Korean, Independence Day is called Gwangbokjeol.  This literally translates to “Restoration of Light Day”.

When is Korean Independence Day?

  South Korea got its independence on August 13, 1948. However, it is officially celebrated on the August 15.

A little more history…

   It took many years, but Korea was successful in getting free from the control of Japan. 

  On this date in 1945, Japan surrendered to the Allied forces during World War II, thus ending the Japanese occupation of Korea. Then on this day three years later in 1948, the Republic of Korea (South Korea) was officially established.
   The Independence Day of South Korea commemorates the freedom from decades of Japanese occupation and the formation of the South Korean republic. Subsequent to the 1905 Taft-Katsura agreement, the Japanese took control of Korea in the year 1910. They restricted the political freedom of the Koreans and also took control over the Korean economic and communications systems. The Japanese further attempted to assimilate the people of Korea into their culture.

  Gwangbokjeol commemorates Victory over Japan Day, which liberated Korea from colonial rule. The South Korean government was created three years later, on August 13, 1948, when Syngman Rhee was sworn in as the first President of South Korea.  Gwangbokjeol was officially designated a public holiday on October 1, 1949.

How is South Korea’s Independence Day celebrated?

  Schools, banks, and the post office are all closed on this day.  People from all over the country come together to celebrate.  This is a festive day!  A parade is held.  The national flag is hoisted in order to show respect to the heroes of the country.  Koreans remember all those who gave their lives in order for Korea to be a free country.

  There are other traditions and activities to celebrate! Sometimes festivals are held in honor of Korea’s Independence Day.  Korean food is enjoyed.  The Korean national anthem is played.

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 or at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.

  All buildings and homes are encouraged to display the national flag Taegukki, and most public museums and places are open free of charge to the descendents of independence activists on the holiday.

  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).  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".

Also, the government traditionally issues special pardons on Gwangbokjeol.

  

Remembering the past… and looking towards the Future:

  There is a rich history in Korea.  There are stories from the Japanese occupation of Korea and Korea’s liberation.  The fight for the Korean peninsula didn’t end with the establishment of an official government in South Korea.  In 1950, North Korea invaded the South and a three-year battle ensued.  Each side, at one time or another, took almost the entire peninsula for themselves, before things settled back with a division at the 38^th parallel and a cease fire between the two countries.

  As we are thankful for Korea’s independence, we also remember all those who helped make Korea what it is today.  We remember all those who gave their lives so that South Korea could be free.  We also look towards a brighter day, hoping that North Korea will experience the same freedoms that those in South Korea now have; and that the country will be one again.

PS: On a lighter note, be careful when you are spelling "peninsula" on the board.  I'll leave why I offer this warning up to your own imaginations; but I will say that Reading class for Class 5C was especially interesting today.  (No, it wasn't ME - it was one of my students, but it took me a minute to catch it.) Ooops.