August 15 is an important day in South Korea.
It is a national holiday, and if you happen to be in Korea around this time, you will probably notice Korean flags, or Taegeukgi (태극기), displayed on streets, buildings, and homes.
But why August 15?
What happened on this day?
And what does the Korean flag actually mean?
I have known August 15 as Gwangbokjeol for as long as I can remember. But while preparing a small Gwangbokjeol activity for my children, I started thinking about these things again.
So, here is a simple introduction to Gwangbokjeol, Korea’s Liberation Day, and the Taegeukgi.
What Is Gwangbokjeol?
Gwangbokjeol (광복절) is Korea’s Liberation Day, celebrated every year on August 15.
The Korean word gwangbok (광복, 光復) can be translated as “restoration of light” or “regaining the light.”
The name refers to Korea regaining its independence after the period of Japanese colonial rule.
August 15, 1945, is the date associated with Korea’s liberation.
Japan announced its surrender at the end of World War II, bringing an end to Japanese colonial rule over Korea.
This is why August 15 is remembered as a particularly important day in Korean history.
Today, Gwangbokjeol is one of South Korea’s national holidays.
Why Is August 15 Important in Korean History?
From 1910 to 1945, Korea was under Japanese colonial rule.
During this period, many Koreans worked toward independence in different ways, including independence movements both inside and outside Korea.
On August 15, 1945, Japan surrendered, and Korea was liberated from Japanese rule.
However, this did not immediately lead to the establishment of the Republic of Korea as we know it today.
After liberation, the Korean Peninsula went through a complicated period of political change and was divided into two occupation zones.
The Republic of Korea was established on August 15, 1948, three years after liberation.
This is one reason August 15 has an especially important place in modern Korean history.
Why Is Gwangbokjeol a Public Holiday?
Gwangbokjeol is a day to remember Korea’s liberation and the people who worked for independence.
It is also a day when many Koreans reflect on the history behind the country’s independence.
For children, a national holiday can sometimes feel like simply a day without school.
But Gwangbokjeol is a good opportunity to explain that the holiday has a much deeper meaning.
Even a simple question like,
“Why do we put up the Korean flag today?”
can be a starting point for learning about Korean history.
What Is the Taegeukgi?
The national flag of South Korea is called the Taegeukgi (태극기).
It has a white background with a red and blue taegeuk symbol in the center and four black trigrams around it.
The design may look simple, but each part of the flag has a meaning.
The Taegeuk Symbol
The red and blue circle in the center is called taegeuk (태극).
The two colors are intertwined rather than separated into two completely different parts.
The taegeuk represents the harmony and balance of opposing forces.
The red part is traditionally associated with yang, while the blue part is associated with yin.
Together, they represent the idea that opposing forces can exist together in balance.
What Do the Four Black Symbols Mean?
Around the taegeuk are four black symbols called gwae (괘), or trigrams.
They come from traditional East Asian philosophy and are connected with natural elements and concepts.
The four trigrams are:
Geon (건) ☰
Heaven
Gon (곤) ☷
Earth
Gam (감) ☵
Water
Ri (리) ☲
Fire
The four trigrams are arranged around the central taegeuk.
So, although the Taegeukgi looks relatively simple, it contains quite a lot of symbolism.
Why Do Koreans Display the Taegeukgi on August 15?
On Gwangbokjeol, many Koreans display the Taegeukgi outside their homes, schools, businesses, and public buildings.
For many people, the flag is a visible reminder of Korea’s independence and history.
You may notice Taegeukgi displayed more often around August 15 than on an ordinary day.
If you visit Seoul during this time, you may also see Korean flags along major roads and around public spaces.
It is one of the easiest ways for visitors to notice that an important national day is being celebrated.
Learning About Gwangbokjeol With My Children
This year, I wanted to introduce Gwangbokjeol to my children in a way they could actually understand.
Instead of giving them a long history lesson, we started with the Korean flag.
We talked about the red and blue taegeuk, the four black trigrams, and why we see the Taegeukgi everywhere on August 15.
I also made a simple Gwangbokjeol activity sheet for them.
And this year, our family visited Seodaemun Prison History Hall around Liberation Day.
It was a very different experience from our usual family outings.
The children are still young, so there are many historical details they cannot fully understand yet. But I think simply seeing the place, asking questions, and hearing small pieces of the story is a meaningful beginning.
Sometimes, learning about history starts with something very simple.
A flag.
A holiday.
Or even a question from a child.
Why Do Countries Have Flags?
While learning about the Taegeukgi, I found myself thinking about something else.
Why does every country have its own flag?
A national flag is more than just a design.
The colors, shapes, and symbols can represent a country’s history, culture, beliefs, or identity.
And every country has a different story behind its flag.
The more I thought about it, the more curious I became about the flags of other countries, too.
Maybe that will be another post.
For now, if you are visiting Korea around August 15, take a moment to look at the Taegeukgi flying around you.
It is not simply a decoration for a public holiday.
For Koreans, it represents a very important part of the country’s history.
August 15 is Gwangbokjeol — Korea’s Liberation Day.
