March 08, 2026Mar 08, 2026
KCNA Naenara (En)

Korean Custom of Celebrating Lunar New Year’s Day

Date: 17/02/2026 | Source: Naenara (En) | Read original version at source

Lunar new year’s day is the first folk holiday of the year for the Korean people.

The custom of celebrating the day includes charye (memorial service for ancestors), sebae (new year greetings), solbim (attire of the day), sechan (foods of the day) and folk games.

With the holiday approaching, people clean their houses inside and outside, and prepare foods for the day.

First, to celebrate the day they hold a memorial service in honour of their ancestors, which is called charye .

New year greetings, or sebae , are given to the seniors of the family in the order of ages and then to the elders of the village and relatives’ families as well as to the teachers.

This custom came from the local tradition of respecting elders and valuing decorum.

Acquaintances exchange good wishes with each other, and this is called toktam .

At families everyone gets up early in the morning and puts on new clothes, which is called solbim or sejang .

Rice-cake soup and other dishes for the day called sechan are prepared, and family members and relatives get together to share them praying for good health and happiness in the new year. Sechan is also shared by neighbours.

Folk games add more to the festive mood of the day.

Typical folk games include yut (four sticks) game, seesawing, sleighing and kite-flying.

This custom reflects the Korean people’s noble and beautiful etiquette and optimistic and rich sentiment and emotion, and it has been inherited and developed as part of the national intangible cultural heritage items. This year’s lunar new year’s day falls on February 17.

O Kwang Rim

More From Naenara (En)

March 8 and Korean Women

March 8 and Korean Women

When March 8 International Women’s Day was instituted in 1910, Korea was a complete colony of Japan and the Korean women were

March 08, 2026

When March 8 International Women’s Day was instituted in 1910, Korea was a complete colony of Japan and the Korean women were

Pomhyanggi-brand Cosmetics

Pomhyanggi-brand Cosmetics

Pomhyanggi (spring scent) has become a household word in the DPRK. It is a famous brand name of cosmetics. That’s why it reminds

March 08, 2026

Pomhyanggi (spring scent) has become a household word in the DPRK. It is a famous brand name of cosmetics. That’s why it reminds

“Women Are Flowers”

“Women Are Flowers”

March 8 International Women’s Day seems to be the day closely related to flowers.On this day flowers and bouquets are prepared acr

March 08, 2026

March 8 International Women’s Day seems to be the day closely related to flowers.On this day flowers and bouquets are prepared acr

Military-Civilian Meetings Held in DPRK

Military-Civilian Meetings Held in DPRK

Military-civilian meetings took place in North Phyongan, South Hwanghae, Kangwon and North Hamgyong provinces and Nampho and

March 07, 2026

Military-civilian meetings took place in North Phyongan, South Hwanghae, Kangwon and North Hamgyong provinces and Nampho and

DPRK Boasts Long History of Porcelain Production

DPRK Boasts Long History of Porcelain Production

The Korean people have a long tradition of developing the ceramic industry. They began to make and use a wide selection of

March 07, 2026

The Korean people have a long tradition of developing the ceramic industry. They began to make and use a wide selection of

Military-Civilian Meetings Held in DPRK

Military-Civilian Meetings Held in DPRK

Military-civilian meetings took place in South Phyongan, North Hwanghae, Jagang, South Hamgyong and Ryanggang provinces and Rason

March 06, 2026

Military-civilian meetings took place in South Phyongan, North Hwanghae, Jagang, South Hamgyong and Ryanggang provinces and Rason

Natural Monument–Tal Gate in Sea Chilbo

Natural Monument–Tal Gate in Sea Chilbo

There is a scenic spot called Tal Gate in Sea Chilbo, part of Mt Chilbo, which boasts a spectacular seaside landscape.One of the b

March 06, 2026

There is a scenic spot called Tal Gate in Sea Chilbo, part of Mt Chilbo, which boasts a spectacular seaside landscape.One of the b

Enlarged Plenary Meeting of Cabinet Party Committee Held

Enlarged Plenary Meeting of Cabinet Party Committee Held

An enlarged plenary meeting of the Cabinet Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held on March 4 to implement the

March 06, 2026

An enlarged plenary meeting of the Cabinet Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea was held on March 4 to implement the

Nation Abounds with Tourism Resources

Nation Abounds with Tourism Resources

In the DPRK tourism industry helps promote cultural efflorescence and development in relevant regions. It is of long-term

March 06, 2026

In the DPRK tourism industry helps promote cultural efflorescence and development in relevant regions. It is of long-term

Decision of SPA Standing Committee of DPRK

Decision of SPA Standing Committee of DPRK

The Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea announced its decision on

March 05, 2026

The Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea announced its decision on

Decision of Standing Committee of DPRK SPA

Decision of Standing Committee of DPRK SPA

The central election committee was organized for the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the

March 05, 2026

The central election committee was organized for the election of deputies to the 15th Supreme People’s Assembly of the

Peasants Are Masters of Land

Peasants Are Masters of Land

Korea was liberated from the Japanese imperialists’ military occupation on August 15, 1945. One day in October that year the

March 05, 2026

Korea was liberated from the Japanese imperialists’ military occupation on August 15, 1945. One day in October that year the

Centuries-old Desire Comes True

Centuries-old Desire Comes True

On March 5, 1946, the Law on Agrarian Reform was adopted in Korea. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung saw the agrarian reform as

March 05, 2026

On March 5, 1946, the Law on Agrarian Reform was adopted in Korea. The great leader Comrade Kim Il Sung saw the agrarian reform as

First Full Moon Day Observed in DPRK

First Full Moon Day Observed in DPRK

The first full moon day (January 15th by the lunar calendar) came around, adding pleasure and optimism to the DPRK people. The

March 05, 2026

The first full moon day (January 15th by the lunar calendar) came around, adding pleasure and optimism to the DPRK people. The

Recycling Drive Revved Up to Bring Much Benefit

Recycling Drive Revved Up to Bring Much Benefit

Greater efforts are being made in the DPRK to rev up the recycling drive. A wide range of research projects is under way for

March 04, 2026

Greater efforts are being made in the DPRK to rev up the recycling drive. A wide range of research projects is under way for

Grand Artistic Performance Continues in DPRK

Grand Artistic Performance Continues in DPRK

A grand artistic performance “Song to the Motherly Party”, which significantly commemorated the Ninth Congress of the

March 04, 2026

A grand artistic performance “Song to the Motherly Party”, which significantly commemorated the Ninth Congress of the

More Articles