South Korea: A Country Profile

Capital: Seoul. ¿¿
Major Cities: The largest cities are Seoul (11 million), Pusan (3.9 million), Taegu (2.5 million),
Inch'4n (2.4 million), Kwangju (1.4 million), and Taej4n (1.3 million).
Independence: August 15, 1945, from Japanese occupation; Republic of Korea founded August
15, 1948.
Public Holidays: New Year's Day (January 1), Lunar New Year (movable date in January or
February), Independence Movement Day (March 1), Arbor Day (April 5), Children's Day (May
5), Birth of Buddha (movable date in April or May), Memorial Day (June 6), Constitution Day
(July 17), Independence Day (August 15), Ch'us4k (an autumnal harvest festival and day of
thanksgiving, movable date in September or October), National Foundation Day (October 3), and
Christmas Day (December 25).