Public Holidays in North Korea 2025 – State & Leader Observances
North Korea (DPRK) observes a large number of state-declared public holidays, many of which celebrate the country’s leadership, military institutions, and national milestones. The calendar includes leader birthdays, founding anniversaries, traditional Lunar New Year, and historic state days. (Sources: Wikipedia, OfficeHolidays, PublicHolidays Asia, North Korea Travel guides)
Overview of North Korean Public Holidays
North Korea’s public holidays often emphasize state ideology, the ruling party, and the Kim dynastic leadership. Among the most significant are the birthdays of Kim Il Sung (“Day of the Sun”) and Kim Jong Il (“Day of the Shining Star”). The government typically announces 17 or more national holidays annually.
Selected Public Holidays in North Korea (2025)
| Date | Holiday | Significance / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year’s Day | Gregorian New Year holiday |
| February 16 | Day of the Shining Star (Kim Jong Il’s Birthday) | Major leader birthday holiday |
| February 17 | Korean New Year (Lunar / Seollal) | Traditional lunar new year observance |
| April 15 | Day of the Sun (Kim Il Sung’s Birthday) | Most important holiday; multi-day celebrations often around 14–16 April |
| April 25 | Military / Army Day | Commemorates founding of the military forces or revolutionary army |
| May 1 | Labour Day / International Workers’ Day | Workers’ holiday as in many countries |
| July 27 | Victory Day | Marks armistice / Korean War ceasefire (Fatherland Liberation Day) |
| August 15 | Liberation Day | Anniversary of liberation from Japanese occupation |
| August 25 | Day of Songun | Commemorates beginning of “military-first” leadership ideology under Kim Jong Il |
| September 9 | National Day / Foundation of DPRK | Founding anniversary (1948) |
| October 10 | Party Foundation Day | Anniversary of formation of ruling Workers’ Party or predecessor party |
| November 16 | Mother’s Day | Recognized holiday for mothers |
| December 27 | Constitution Day | Commemorates adoption of the DPRK constitution in 1972 |
Note: This table lists some of the better-documented public holidays in North Korea for 2025, but the full list may include more or change depending on state announcements.
Observance & State Practices
- The Day of the Sun (Kim Il Sung’s birthday) is often treated as a multi-day holiday, with pre- and post-events, concerts, flower exhibitions, mass gatherings, and special state provisions for electricity and food.
- Many holidays center on political and ideological propaganda, public ceremonies, statues, wreath-layings, leader worship, and state media coverage.
- Some traditional or lunar holidays (e.g. Korean New Year / Seollal) remain part of the calendar, though secondary to regime holidays.
- The official number of holidays varies; some sources list 17 national holidays.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many public holidays does North Korea have in 2025?
According to some sources, North Korea has 19 public holidays in 2025. Other sources report around 17 national holidays.
What is the most important holiday in North Korea?
The Day of the Sun (April 15) honoring Kim Il Sung is considered the highest holiday, often celebrated with multi-day events, special distributions, and ceremonies.
Are leader birthdays celebrated as public holidays?
Yes. The birthday of Kim Jong Il (Day of the Shining Star, February 16) is an important state holiday.
Do traditional lunar holidays appear on the North Korea calendar?
Yes, for instance Korean New Year (Seollal) is observed under the lunar calendar date (e.g. February 17 in 2025).
Conclusion
Public holidays in North Korea reflect the regime’s emphasis on leader cult, national identity, and ideological narratives. From the iconic Day of the Sun and Day of the Shining Star to anniversary observances like Victory Day and Party Foundation Day, North Korea’s holidays are integral to its state propaganda and social rhythm.
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