May 5, Children's Day

On Children's Day, held on May 5, all children are encouraged to grow righteously, beautifully and healthily without fear of discrimination and to become democratic citizens and dignified human beings. Designated as a legal holiday in 1970, Children's Day has been observed annually ever since. 
The first year in which children were commemorated on May 5 in Korea was 1923. Bang Jeong-hwan (方定煥), a composer and the author of a book for children (and also a son-in-law of Son Byeong-hi, the third leader of the Cheongdogyo religion), was an ardent supporter of children's culture and arts. He organized the Saekdonghoe in Tokyo on March 16, 1922 with the aim of nurturing children's human rights, which led directly to the declaration of Children's Day a year later. Through the Declaration of Children's Day announced on May 5, 1923, Bang urged Korean society to respect children's rights, i.e. "to liberate children from existing ethical pressures and to treat them as complete human beings," "to liberate children from existing economic pressures by banning underage labor," and "to guarantee family and social facilities where children can learn and play in happiness."  
After Korea's liberation from Japan in 1945, May 5 was designated as "Children's Day," and the Children's Charter of Korea was proclaimed a decade or so later in 1957. The Child Welfare Law enacted in 1961 confirmed Children's Day as May 5, and it has been observed annually on this date ever since its designation as a public holiday in 1970 in accordance with the "Regulations on the Public Holidays of Government Offices." The Children's Charter was amended in 1988 to include a clause on children's status as democratic citizens; however, the Charter's fundamental values, such as children's right to grow up in a warm family environment and their right to be healthy and play happily, followed the principle of respecting children's rights included in the Declaration of Children's Day made in 1923.

아현초등학교 봄 체육대회 2007 서울

Spring Sports Day at Ahyun Elementary School, Seoul, in 2007

Every year on May 5, special events are organized by the Korean government and children-related groups to celebrate Children's Day. During the event, the Children's Charter is recited, model children are selected, and persons of merit in children's welfare projects are awarded. At the Children's Day event held in the Blue House, underprivileged children from remote islands or regions, child heads of households, and children from sheltered accommodation are invited there to receive comfort and encouragement. Many other events for children are held during this period, such as commemorative ceremonies, athletics meetings, essay contests, and art contests.

대공원_2009_울산

Grand Park in 2009 in Ulsan

On Children's Day, children receive gifts from their parents and enjoy the day together with their parents in places like amusement parks. However, due to creeping commercialization, Children's Day has become an important day for the sale of children's toys as far as many department stores are concerned.