WRITER – NGUVULU BEKIA MONGESE
EDITOR – ARPITA JENA
The Republic of Korea celebrates Children’s Day (어린이날) every year on May 5th. It is a national holiday entirely dedicated to children to bring them joy and also to highlight their rights and their importance in society.
The celebration of Children’s Day (어린이날) is much more than a festivity—behind it lies a rich and meaningful history. Children’s Day was born in the 1920s when Korea was under Japanese occupation (1910–1945). Children were often seen only as beings to be disciplined and not as individuals to be listened to, which greatly limited their access to education—they only went to primary school, which was completely insufficient.
Credit- Korea.net
They were treated as insignificant members of society. But there was a respected figure, Bang Jeong-hwan (방정환), whose impact on society was significant because it helped improve the conditions of children. Bang Jeong-hwan (방정환) was a writer, educator, and children’s rights activist.
He found it unjust that children were mistreated, ignored, or exploited because he always believed that children were the future of a bright nation. Inspired by international movements for children’s rights, he transformed how adults viewed children. He was the first to introduce the respectful Korean term 어린이 to refer to children. This word 어린이 conveys a sense of respect, identity, and importance for children. Bang Jeong-hwan (방정환) also contributed greatly to Korean youth literature by writing, translating, and publishing many works, including “사랑의 선물” (Gift of Love).
He also began to promote education and better living conditions for children by founding two key organizations: Cheondogyo Sonyeonhoe (천도교소년회) and Saekdonghoe (색동화). Both were dedicated to promoting children’s rights, education, and literature during the Japanese occupation. Cheondogyo Sonyeonhoe (천도교소년회) was a religious youth organization, and Saekdonghoe (색동화) was devoted to promoting education and children’s rights. Convinced that children deserve love, freedom, education, and all rights, he decided to establish a day dedicated to children, initially set on May 1st, 1923. However, that day later became Labor Day because the Japanese colony had suppressed those celebrations as they were seen as acts of cultural resistance.
It was only in 1975, after the Korean War and the country’s reconstruction, that the Korean government officially recognized May 5th as a national holiday. This day is now inscribed in the heart of the Korean people.
Today, May 5th is much more than just a public holiday in South Korea. Children’s Day (어린이날) is a day full of colors, laughter, and special activities organized for children across the country. Parents take their children to amusement parks, museums, zoos, or shows, and often give them gifts. Schools and institutions also organize events to celebrate childhood, promote children’s rights, and emphasize their valuable place in society.
This day is also a moment to reaffirm the core values of respect, love, and education promoted by Bang Jeong-hwan. The messages he championed throughout his life are now reflected in the efforts of the Korean government to provide a safer, fairer, and more stimulating environment for younger generations.
Children’s Day (어린이날) is not just a joyful celebration, it is also a powerful symbol of the recognition of children’s rights and of how their place in Korean society has evolved. It is a precious legacy left by Bang Jeong-hwan, and an annual reminder that children are not only the present, but also the future of a nation.
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