In every contract that you sign, the schools cover the idea of vacation days. You may receive between 10 to 14 days of vacation (or more) outside of weekends and observed national holidays. This brings up the question, “What are the observed Korean holidays?” There are eleven holidays that are observed nationally. During these days, some restaurants, big shops and tourist sights stay open, but many other places may close. Around the Lunar New Year and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), even more businesses close to allow family members to return to their home towns to celebrate and take part in the associated traditional ceremonies.
New Year’s Day (신정) January 1
For the solar New Year, with bells ringing out at midnight, there are some big celebrations but Koreans only get one day off for this New Year celebration.
Lunar New Year (설날) February 7, 2008; January 26, 2009; January 14, 2010; February 3, 2011
This is one of the biggest holidays in Korea (and throughout Asia). During the Lunar New Year, all of Korea seemingly grinds to a halt, stopping in its tracks as family members make the pilgrimage back home. Visiting relatives, bowing to deceased ancestors and eating rice cakes, the Lunar New Year is definitely a time when all Koreans celebrate their family and partake in traditions stretching back generations. If you are looking to travel around this three day holiday, make reservations WELL in advance (like months). If you procrastinate in this instance, you will be spending the holiday eating cooked ramen in your apartment (perhaps more if you know where to shop LINK TO THE GROCERIES).
Independence Day (삼일절) March 1
Gangwon-do is also found on the northern portion of the country, bordered by the East Sea and North Korea. Gangwon-do is full of natural attractions. Visitors can enjoy a fantastic view of Mt. Seoraksan and other peaks along this mountainous region. There are also beaches running along the coast, offering a unique compliment to the stunning mountains and a place for North Korean invaders to try and enter South Korea.
Children’s Day (어린이날) May 5
Today is the day to celebrate all of your lovely students. On this day, Korean parents treat their children to visits to theme parks, candy and small presents. It’s best to avoid the major theme parks and shopping malls on this day
Buddha’s Birthday (부처님 오신 날) May 12, 2008; May 2, 2009; May 21, 2010; May 10, 2011
You should definitely use this day off to go visit the nearest Buddhist temple. Don’t forget to bring your camera, as hundreds of thousands of lotus lanterns will adorn the temples (and some temples will offer a free meal).
Teacher’s Day (스승의 날) May 15
Okay, it’s not an OFFICIAL holiday which you can celebrate with the day off, but it’s still a holiday that Koreans will celebrate. On this day, some parents will send their children to school with a small gift for you (anything from a Korean rice-cake set to a pair of gloves to a department store gift certificate). You have a remarkable effect on your students’ development, both socially and educationally, and this is how they show you.
Memorial Day (현충일) June 6
Much like the Memorial Day in other countries, this day is reserved to recognize and celebrate those who died fighting for their country, both as soldiers and police officers.
Constitution Day (제헌절) July 17
This day commemorates the founding of the Republic of South Korea in 1948. Though still listed on the calendars, as of 2008, this day is no longer celebrated with a day off.
Liberation Day (광복절) August 15
This day commemorates the day that Japan surrendered to the allied forces, ending World War II and their 35-year rule of Korea. Though actually established as a independent nation three years later, South Korea still observes August 15 as the official end of Japanese rule.
Korean Thanksgiving (추석) September 14, 2008; October 30, 2009; September 22, 2010
Chuseok (추석 “choo-sawk”) is also called the Harvest Moon Festival or Thanksgiving, the day when Koreans nationwide participate in another mass exodus to their home towns. As the traditional celebration of good harvest, Koreans spend the early part of the day tidying the tombs of their dead ancestors and offering food, drink and crops to their ancestors (as it is the blessing of ancestors that ensures a good harvest).
The rest of the day is spent indulging in Korean traditional foods, the traditional “song-pyeon” (송편, the crescent rice-cake that is steamed over pine needles) and playing various traditional games that vary from region to region. The day before and the day after are also counted in this national holiday and, as with Lunar New Year, it is wise to have travel preparations arranged months in advance.
National Foundation Day (개천절) October 3
This is the day that is believed to be the birth of the legendary founder of Korea, Dan-gun, in 2333 BC. It’s definitely a day that you can use to take advantage of the beginning of autumn’s spectacular weather.
Christmas Day (성탄절) December 25
Though there is a nip in the air, falling snow (if you’re lucky) and presents exchanged among friends, Christmas just isn’t the same in this little country. Christmas in Korea does start showing signs of coming in the beginning of December (rather than immediately after the Thanksgiving turkey is carved, as in America) and retailers begin building up their stocks of gadgets and gizmos to draw the attention of children of all ages passing by.
However, Christmas can seem a bit lonely with family on the other side of the world and it loses all trace of the religious meaning or background and becomes a purely commercial holiday. Like many things that you’ll find in Korea, it’s not a good or bad thing, just different. A good gift to buy for yourself around this time, besides plane tickets to somewhere tropical, would be a phone card home, to wish your family a Merry Christmas.
