South Korea’s Liberation Day (광복절): Why August 15 Is One of Korea’s Most Meaningful Holidays

Every year on August 15 , South Korea pauses to remember a turning point in its history. Streets fill with the red, blue, and white of the Taegeukgi , patriotic songs echo from public squares, and families reflect on the sacrifices that made freedom possible. This national holiday is called Gwangbokjeol (광복절) , literally “the day the light returned.” It commemorates Korea’s liberation from…