The very first day of a new year in the solar calendar is designated as a public holiday according to the “Regulations on Holidays of Government Offices” (Presidential Decree No. 15939, dated December 18, 1988). In Korea the solar calendar was first used following the Royal Edict proclaimed by King Gojong on September 9, 1895 in the lunar calendar. From this year on, January 1 of the solar calendar was designated as the official “Seol,” or “Sinjeong” (新正). However, this change sparked opposition from the general public who wished to keep the first day of the lunar calendar as the authentic tradition.

양력설 관련 자료이미지

"Seolbim," painting by Lee Seo-ji	Sebae, or New Year's Greeting, in Hahoe Village, Andong City, Gyeongsangbuk-do

During the Japanese colonial period, “Sinjeong” was forcibly encouraged so as to eradicate Korean culture. After Korea’s liberation from Japan, the government systematically supported “Sinjeong.” As a result, the traditional New Year’s Day of the lunar calendar came to be known as “Gujeong” (舊正), while the first day of the solar calendar, “Sinjeong,” and those who celebrated “Gujeong” were often deemed “uncivilized.” Notwithstanding the government’s support for and promotion of “Sinjeong” as an official holiday, at the time of the consensus conducted in 1986, 83.5% of Koreans still celebrated the traditional New Year’s Day. Reflecting the consensus, starting from 1989 the Korean government assigned three public holidays to celebrate the lunar New Year’s Day while reducing the solar New Year’s Day holidays to two. In 1988, Hangeul Day and Armed Forces Day were excluded from public holidays, and only one day was given as an official holiday at Sinjeong. Even as more Koreans placed importance on the lunar New Year’s Day, still some citizens, bringing up the problem of double taxation, demanded that the solar New Year’s Day be made official.