[News Date] Teacher's Day 'May 15', Also Honoring King Sejong's Achievements

Starting next year, May 15 will be designated as 'Sejong the Great's Birthday,' and May 27 will be designated as 'Aerospace Day' as national commemorative days. In particular, May 15, which was previously recognized only as 'Teacher's Day,' will gain additional significance as a day to honor the achievements of Sejong the Great.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that it will give prior legislative notice until November 4 for a partial amendment to the 'Regulations on Various Commemorative Days,' which includes these changes.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

For 'Sejong the Great's Birthday,' May 15 was designated to coincide with the birthdate of Sejong the Great. Local governments, civic groups, and others have independently held various events such as exhibitions and performances related to Sejong the Great and Hangul on May 15, his birthdate.

In the statement of reasons for the amendment, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety explained that the new designation of 'Sejong the Great's Birthday' as a commemorative day is "to honor the great achievements of Sejong the Great, and to inherit and develop his creative spirit and benevolent philosophy, thereby enhancing national pride as a cultural nation."

It further stated, "Through nationwide commemorative events, it is expected to widely promote the great achievements left by Sejong the Great and to provide an opportunity to inherit and develop his creative and benevolent spirit, contributing to the enhancement of national pride as a cultural nation."

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Cultural Heritage Administration will oversee Sejong the Great's Birthday.

Along with this, May 27, the launch date of the Aerospace Administration, has been designated as 'Aerospace Day.' The overseeing ministry is the Aerospace Administration.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety said, "To raise public interest in the space economy and to promote technological development and industrial advancement in the aerospace sector following the launch of the Aerospace Administration, 'Aerospace Day' is designated as a government-led commemorative day."

National commemorative days are intended to reflect on the significance of the respective dates, and currently, there are 55 such days.

However, not all national commemorative days are public holidays. Only some commemorative days designated under the 'Regulations on Public Holidays of Government Offices' are public holidays.

Although May 15, Sejong the Great's Birthday, and May 27, Aerospace Day, are not public holidays, their designation as national commemorative days is expected to lead to an expansion of related ceremonies and events.