Topic Discussion Class 02
Text book p112 “Let’s Visit Japan”
Topic : Let’s review and talk about our traditions related to our National Holidays
ex) Children’s day, HanGul daily etc..
Q1. How did it become a national holiday? (about its history and people who were involved)
Q2. How is it related to our traditions?
Q3. Discuss about which national holiday is the best and share memories about a particular event
that you still remember
The day marks the annual anniversary of the announcement that Japan would unconditionally surrender
on August 15, 1945. All forces of the Imperial Japanese Army were ordered to surrender to the Allies.
Independent Korean governments were created three years later, on 15 August 1948, when the pro-U.S.
Syngman Rhee was elected first President of South Korea and pro-Soviet Kim Il-sung was made first
Leader of North Korea. Gwangbokjeol was officially designated a public holiday on 1 October 1949 in
South Korea and is known as Chogukhaebangŭi nal (조국해방의 날; literally "Liberation of Fatherland
Day") in North Korea.
Korea has been an independent nation for centuries, but it has been invaded multiple times, the last being
the period of Japanese rule. It took three years after Korea became independent in 1945 for the nation to
actually establish the Republic of Korea on August 15th, when National Liberation Day is celebrated.
August 15th is celebrated by many countries as Victory Over Japan Day, the day Japan was defeated and
the Second World War came to an end. America, however, commemorates this day in September when
the Japanese formally signed a declaration of surrender.
North Korea currently celebrates this holiday separately from South Korea ] Nevertheless, Liberation Day
is the only Korean holiday that is celebrated by both countries. In North Korea, it is typical to schedule
weddings on the holiday.
The holiday is often celebrated with a military parade on Kim Il-sung Square on jubilee years (ex: 25th
anniversary, 40th anniversary, 50th anniversary, 60th anniversary, 70th anniversary) with the attendance
of the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of North
Korea. The first parade was held in 1949 at Pyongyang Station. It was held again in 1953, and then
conducted every year until 1960, when it took a pause until the early 2000s.[13]
In South Korea, many activities and events take place on the holiday, including an official ceremony
attended by the President of the Republic either at the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan or at the
Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. During the celebration, the flags of different countries around the
world hung in the middle of the road around the Jamsil area of Seoul between the Olympic Stadium and
Olympic Park are taken down and replaced with Korean national flags.
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.
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".
The government traditionally issues special pardons on Gwangbokjeol.