South Korea Celebrates “The Day The Light Returned”
Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images
August 15th is National Liberation Day of Korea, commemorating the victory over Japan in 1945. It is the only national public holiday celebrated by both North and South Korea.
In South Korea, the holiday is called Gwangbokjeol, which means “the day the light returned.” Homes and public buildings proudly display the South Korean national flag. Citizens also sing the official Gwangbokjeol song. The South Korean president usually officiates a ceremony at the Independence Hall of Korea. The South Korean government also issues special pardons to prisoners in honor of the day.
