2026 National Foundation Day

National Foundation Day, Gaecheonjeol, on October 3 commemorates the legendary founding of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, by Dangun in 2333 BC. The name means 'the day the heavens opened', referring to the myth in which Hwanung, son of the lord of heaven, descended to earth and fathered Dangun. It has been one of Korea's national celebration days since 1949, when the observance was moved from the lunar to the solar calendar. The government holds an official ceremony, Korean flags are flown nationwide, and heaven-worship rites are performed at sites such as Chamseongdan, the stone altar on Mt. Mani on Ganghwa Island where Dangun is said to have made offerings. It is a public holiday, with a substitute day off when it falls on a weekend, and its position in early October — close to Hangul Day on October 9 and sometimes to Chuseok — often makes for a long autumn break, so travel bookings fill up early. This countdown ticks to midnight Korea Standard Time on October 3.