May 8, Parents' Day

Parents' Day is a national holiday held on May 8 to commemorate the traditional virtue of filial piety and to express gratitude for the grace of all parents. Traditionally speaking, filial piety is the most important virtue of the moral and ethical code practiced by Korean people; therefore, there was no real need to establish a special day on which to express respect for parents. The background to founding the official Parents' Day was more to do with social changes. In 1956 Mothers' Day was enacted in Korea, and it was celebrated annually thereafter. However, in 1973 it was changed to Parents' Day so as to include fathers, adults, and elders.

어버이날 풍경 2007 서울

Parents' Day in Seoul, 2007

Mothers' Day in Korea was initiated by Christian groups, as was the case in certain Western countries. Starting around 1930, the Salvation Army's home division began to hold Mother's Sunday, and in 1932 the Methodist Church Federation decided to observe the second Sunday of May as Parent's Sunday. In this way what was originally an American Christian tradition came to be established in a country steeped in Confucian tradition, and gradually developed into the festival that we know and love today. In 1973, Mother's Day became a new occasion on which to commemorate Korean virtues by respecting not only mothers but also fathers, adults and elders. In the early days following the enactment of Parents' Day, one week was designated as a week for honoring one's elders by promoting such events as visits to the homes of the elderly and senior citizen centers.

어버이날 가족행사 2009 울산

Family Events on Parents' Day, Ulsan, 2009

On Parents' Day in Korea, families, parents and children gather together and hold all kinds of events to express thanks for the grace of parents. Children put a carnation corsage on the chest of their parents and give them presents, and everyone enjoys a good time with their parents. The Korean government also organizes lavish events to celebrate Parents' Day. Organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the government selects and awards exemplary families, and encourages filial piety by selecting outstanding parents and children and presenting them with prizes. National honors are classified into the Order of Civil Merit, National Award, Presidential Award, Prime Minister's Award, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare Award, all of which come with cash prizes.

효도 위안잔치 2010 영광

Feasts of Consolation for Elders, Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, 2010

Provincial self-governing groups organize similar events to promote the traditional Confucian virtues of filial piety and respect for elders by targeting local citizens. To honor local citizens, provincial governments hold various events for citizens in time for Parents' Day. All over Korea diverse events, gatherings and festivals are held, including family singing contests, collective 60th birthday feasts, celebrity parties, athletics meetings, trips with parents, the publication of books on filial deeds, movements to make family mottos, and the offering of carnations to parents, etc.