While May 15 is widely celebrated in South Korea as Teacher’s Day, a recent survey reveals that 70% of Koreans are unaware it is also King Sejong the Great's birthday—now recognized as a national commemorative day since 2023.
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| May 15 is Teacher's Day and King Sejong's Birthday in South Korea |
According to a public awareness survey released on May 13 by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of Korean Language, a large majority of respondents did not know the historical connection between Teacher’s Day and King Sejong’s birth.
Survey Results: Public Lacks Awareness of National Commemoration
The survey, conducted online from April 29 to May 5, polled 1,077 people nationwide across age, gender, and region.
Key findings included:
- 76.3% of respondents did not know that May 15 is King Sejong’s birthday.
- Only 31.5% of those in their 60s correctly identified the date, while just 16.7% of teenagers were aware.
The survey aimed to promote recognition of King Sejong’s achievements and to reinforce the new national significance of May 15, which until recently had been solely associated with honoring educators.
Why May 15 Became Teacher’s Day — And Its Deeper Meaning
Teacher’s Day began in 1958 when students at a high school in South Chungcheong Province cared for ill teachers. The celebration became official on May 26, 1964, originally called “Day of Gratitude to Teachers.” In 1965, it was moved to May 15—the birthdate of King Sejong the Great, known as Korea’s most respected monarch and an enduring symbol of wisdom and education.
To honor both teachers and King Sejong’s legacy, the Korean government officially designated May 15 as a national commemorative day in 2023.
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| King Sejong Status in Seoul |
King Sejong the Great: A Monarch Who Put the People First
King Sejong (1418–1450) is renowned for his groundbreaking policies in welfare, science, and governance:
Progressive Maternity Leave (1426–1434)
- Increased maternity leave for female government slaves from 7 to 100 days in 1426.
- Added an extra 30 days post-birth in 1430, totaling 130 days.
- In 1434, granted 30 days of paternity leave to husbands of new mothers.
Agricultural and Tax Reform
- In 1430, conducted Korea’s first public opinion survey, asking over 170,000 citizens about land tax policies.
- Authored Nongsa Jikseol, a manual for region-specific and seasonal farming methods.
Educational and Scientific Advancements
- Established the Hall of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon) to foster elite scholars.
- Introduced “Sagan Doksuh”, a policy granting reading leave for scholars to enhance independent study.
- Constructed astronomical observatories and science research centers like Heumgyeonggak.
- Created the Chiljeongsan calendar system to accurately track celestial movements.
Raising Awareness of King Sejong’s Legacy
Despite his profound contributions to Korean society, public awareness about the significance of May 15 remains low. The government hopes to change this by promoting “King Sejong’s Birthday” as more than a footnote to Teacher’s Day — but a day to honor a visionary king who reshaped Korea’s future with compassion, intellect, and innovation.
📚 Learn Korean Through This News
Korean Text:
"5월 15일인 ‘세종대왕 나신 날’과 ‘스승의 날’의 관계를 국민 상당수가 모른다는 조사 결과가 나왔다. 지난해 정부가 이날을 국가기념일로 지정했으나 10명 중 7명에게는 아직 인식되지 않았다는 것이다."
Key Vocabulary:
- 세종대왕 나신 날 (se-jong-dae-wang na-sin nal) – the birthday of King Sejong
- 스승의 날 (seu-seung-ui nal) – Teachers’ Day (celebrated on May 15 in Korea)
- 국민 (guk-min) – citizens / the public
- 상당수 (sang-dang-su) – a significant number
- 조사 결과 (jo-sa gyeol-gwa) – survey result
- 국가기념일 (guk-ga gi-nyeom-il) – national commemorative day
- 지정하다 (ji-jeong-ha-da) – to designate
- 인식되다 (in-sik-dwe-da) – to be recognized / acknowledged
Translation:
"A survey found that a large portion of the public is unaware of the relationship between May 15 – King Sejong’s birthday – and Teachers’ Day. Although the government designated this day as a national commemorative day last year, 7 out of 10 people still do not recognize it."
Keywords
스승의 날, 세종대왕 나신 날, May 15 Korea, King Sejong birthday, Teacher’s Day South Korea,