National Liberation Day, known as Gwangbokjeol, is one of South Korea's most significant public holidays, celebrated annually on August 15th. This day commemorates the end of 35 years of brutal Japanese colonial rule in 1945 and the subsequent founding of the Republic of Korea in 1948. It is a time for national reflection, pride, and remembrance of the sacrifices made for freedom. Table of Contents What is Gwangbokjeol? The Day the Light Returned A Painful History: Korea Under Japanese Colonial Rule The Meaning of the Name: 'Gwangbokjeol' Key Historical Figures and Independence Movements How South Korea Celebrates Gwangbokjeol Today The Enduring Role of the Taegeukgi, the National Flag From Liberation to the Founding of the Republic of Korea Gwangbokjeol in South Korean Popular Culture A Shared but Divided Holiday: Gwangbokjeol in North and South Korea The Enduring Legacy ...