October Holidays in Korea 2026

Gaecheonjeol and Hangeul Day bring two stories into focus: the beginnings of Korea and the creation of its writing system.

Knowing the October holidays in Korea makes it easier to plan a Seoul trip. In 2026, National Foundation Day falls on Saturday, October 3; its substitute holiday is Monday, October 5; and Hangeul Day falls on Friday, October 9.

The October holidays in Korea carry two very different stories. What do they mean, and where can you experience them? Here is a guide to the dates, places to visit, and details to check before you go.

Gaecheonjeol:
where the story begins

National Foundation Day · October 3

Of the October holidays in Korea, Gaecheonjeol looks furthest back. It commemorates the founding of Gojoseon, traditionally regarded as Korea’s first kingdom. The name means “the opening of heaven.” As a child, I heard the story of Dangun like a fairy tale. These days I wonder how people first told it, and why they kept telling it.

The Dangun story, in a nutshell

The myth is a way to understand how earlier generations imagined and remembered the beginning of their country. It gives the October holidays in Korea a story that reaches far beyond the modern calendar.

A history walk through Seoul

If you are in Seoul for the October holidays in Korea, begin at Gwanghwamun Square, stroll around Gyeongbokgung Palace, and continue toward Bukchon. These places do not date from the Dangun myth, but they offer a lovely walk through later chapters of Korean history.

Seoul Hanok Week, October 2–11

One reason the October holidays in Korea are especially inviting this year is Seoul Hanok Week, which runs through the holiday period. On October 3 and 10, the self-guided Bukchon Public Hanok Walk invites visitors to collect a route map and paper wristband at the Bukchon Traditional Culture Center. An English audio-guide link is provided on site.

Some tours and workshops require registration, and popular sessions may already be full. The official pages show program-by-program details:

Hangeul Day:
read the city differently

October 9 · King Sejong’s alphabet

The October holidays in Korea also bring Hangeul Day, marking the creation and proclamation of Hunminjeongeum, the original name for the Korean writing system. Whenever this day comes around, I feel grateful to King Sejong. Of all Korea’s historical figures, he and Admiral Yi Sun-sin are the two I admire most.

Why King Sejong created Hangeul

Korean speech differed from the language written with Chinese characters. For many people, putting their own thoughts into writing was difficult. King Sejong wanted a script people could learn and use in daily life. The Annals of King Sejong record that he personally created 28 letters in 1443. Scholars at Jiphyeonjeon later wrote the explanations and examples in the Hunminjeongeum Haerye, available here in modern Korean translation.

The design is fascinating: the letter ㄴ, for example, reflects the tongue touching the upper gums. Other letters build on basic shapes with added strokes. The original script had 28 letters, including some no longer used in everyday writing. Even Korean readers today can find its early texts challenging.

During the October holidays in Korea, look again at the signs around you. You might find yourself wondering what your tongue is doing every time you say a word.

What is happening at Gwanghwamun Square?

For the October holidays in Korea, Seoul lists a Hangeul Day citizen-participation event at Gwanghwamun Square on October 9. Its listed activities are explicitly labeled as 2025 examples, so check the official page for this year’s final program and hours.

For an easy day out, visit the statue, explore nearby cultural spaces, and walk into Seochon or Bukchon. If you have booked the English hanok tour on October 9, arrange the walk around your confirmed meeting point and time.

Public holidays:
what to check before you go

Opening hours · bookings · getting around

Why is Monday, October 5 a holiday?

Gaecheonjeol falls on a Saturday in 2026, so Monday, October 5 is its substitute public holiday. The idea behind substitute holidays is simple: a holiday should not disappear from people’s time off just because it lands on a weekend. When the system was introduced, the government cited family time, rest, and a more consistent number of days off.

A short travel checklist

During the October holidays in Korea, public offices and banks generally close, while opening hours at museums, palaces, shops, and restaurants depend on the venue. Check each place’s own notice rather than assuming the whole city is closed.