South Korea has recently introduced a new initiative to promote its traditional attire, Hanbok, by designating the last Wednesday of every month as 'Hanbok Day.' This move has sparked discussions online, with some netizens humorously commenting, 'They're really in a hurry!' The initiative is part of a broader plan to revitalize traditional cultural industries, as outlined by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
Under this plan, public officials and employees of government agencies are encouraged to wear Hanbok on the designated day. Additionally, specific national holidays and commemorative days, such as Independence Movement Day and Hangul Day, will now have Hanbok as the recommended attire. To further promote Hanbok, museums, art galleries, and overseas cultural centers will adopt it as the uniform for their staff. The government has also established the third week of October as 'Hanbok Culture Week' to encourage wider participation.
This initiative comes amid growing interest in traditional attire across East Asia, including discussions in China about establishing a 'Hanfu Day' to celebrate traditional Han Chinese clothing. While South Korea's efforts are comprehensive, covering official support, public participation, and cultural promotion, the debate continues on how best to preserve and promote traditional garments in modern society.
The comparison between Hanbok and Hanfu highlights the shared cultural heritage and the contemporary efforts to keep these traditions alive. Whether through official policies or grassroots movements, the goal remains the same: to ensure that traditional attire remains a vibrant part of cultural identity in the modern world.
