Leisure · Travel 스킵네비게이션

December
W4 12.25 ~ 12.31
General

Christmas (Dec. 25)

Culture

Pyeongchang Trout Festival (2023. Dec.29 to 2024, Jan.28)

The New Year's Eve bell-ringing ceremony for 2023 and the sunrise event took place in the vicinity of the Bosin-gak Pavilion

Travel

6.3 magnitude earthquake near Bali, Indonesia

W3 12.18 ~ 12.24
General

Cold wave from artic

WHO designates coronavirus variant 'JN.1' as a variant of concern

Culture

Movie 'Spring in Seoul' surpasses 10 million viewers

Large-scale media festivals held throughout Seoul (Seoul Media Art Week, Dec.19 to 25 / Seoul light DDP Dec.21 to 31, etc.)

Travel

Jeju Airport Cancellations and Delays Proliferate Due to Heavy Snowfall

W2 12.11 ~ 12.17
Sports

Lee Jung-hoo joins MLB's San Francisco Giants

Culture

Seoul Winterfesta kicks off (Seoul Light Gwanghwamun, Seoul Light Lantern Festival, Gwanghwamun Square Market, etc. 2023.Dec.15.~2024.Jan.21.)

Seoul Comic World, held at KINTEX in Ilsan (Dec. 16 to 17)

W1 12.04 ~ 12.10
General

The UN Security Council rejects the ceasefire resolution between Israel and Hamas

Gasoline - Diesel price declines for 9th consecutive week

Culture

The musical Macbeth opens (Dec.02 to Dec.30)

2023 Busan International Art Fair (BIAF 2023) opens at BEXCO, Haeundae (Dec.07 to Dec.11)

'K-Link Festival' commemorating the 2023-2024 Korea Visit Year held in Jamsil (Dec.10)

November
W4 11.27 ~ 12.03
General

Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, magnitude 4.0 earthquake

Culture

Yongsan War Memorial Museum, 'Kim Sang-ok, Awakening the Nation' Special Exhibition Opening (Dec.01, 2023 to Mar.10, 2024)

The Busan International Liquor & Wine Exhibition held at BEXCO (Dec.01 to Dec.03)

W3 11.20 ~ 11.26
General

North Korea launches military reconnaissance satellite

Sports

Yang Hee-young, professional golfer wins LPGA CME Group Tour Championship

2026 FIFA North, Central America, and Caribbean World Cup 2nd Qualifiers, South Korea VS China (Nov.21)

Culture

Black Friday (Nov.24)

Travel

National ski resorts opening (Nov.24~)

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization hosts COEX Food Week 2023

W2 11.13 ~ 11.19
General

College enterance exam (Nov.16)

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held

Sports

League of Legends World Championship (Worlds) SKT T1 victory

2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup 2nd Qualifiers, South Korea VS Singapore (Nov.16)

Culture

Korea Sale Festa (Nov.11 to Nov.30)

The international game exhibition '2023 G-STAR' will open in Busan (Nov.16 to Nov.19)

Travel

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization to hold 'Vegan Tour to Korea 2023'

W1 11.06 ~ 11.12
General

First cold wave warning issued for the capital region and Gangwon province

The value of Japanese YEN has fallen to the 860 won range

Sports

Player Kim Ha-seong selected for the 2023 MLB Golden Glove National League Utility Division

Culture

Bass player Park Jae-sung wins the international vocal competition 'Operalia'

Daelim Museum to hold the Mischa exhibition (Nov.10, 2023 to Mar.31, 2024)

October
W5 10.30 ~ 11.05
General

Spread of bedbugs nation-wide

Halloween (Oct. 31)

Sports

2023 JTBC Seoul Marathon Race held (Nov.05)

Culture

Hongseong County, Chungnam, to host '2023 Global BBQ Festival (Nov.03 to Nov.05)

2023 Pyeongchang Goryeongji Kimchi Festival (11.3~11.12)

18th Busan Fireworks Festival held

Travel

Traveling weekend (Nov.30 to Dec.03)

Asiana Airlines sells cargo business

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization hosts the 2023 K-Travel Tech Summit, an international travel marketing conference

W4 10.23 ~ 10.29
Culture

The opening of the circus 'Circus of the Sun, Luzia' (Oct.25 to Dec.31)

2023 Daejeon Bread Festival held (Oct.28 to Oct.29)

Travel

2023 South Korea Accommodation Sale Festival held (Oct.27 to Nov.24)

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization will host the '2023 Korea Medical Tourism Expo' in Indonesia

W3 10.16 ~ 10.22
General

Trilateral Joint Air Drills of South Korea, the United States, and Japan

Sports

FIFA National Team Evaluation Match: Korea vs Vietnam (Oct.17)

2023 KBO League Closing (Apr.01 to Oct.17)

2023 KBO Postseason held (Oct.19 to Nov.15)

Culture

The opening of the Busan One Asia Festival (BOF) K-POP Concert (Oct.21 to Oct.22)

W2 10.09 ~ 10.15
General

Hangeul Day (Oct.09)

Sports

Kim Hyo-joo, The Ascendant LPGA Champion

The League of Legends World Championship (Worlds) held in Seoul and Busan (Oct.10 to Nov.19)

FIFA National Team Evaluation Match held Korea vs Tunisia (Oct.13)

Culture

Budget Market Sam-guk Festival (Oct.13 to Oct.19)

Travel

Korea Railroad launches 'Untan Godo 1330' travel service

W1 10.02 ~ 10.08
General

National Foundation Day (Oct.03)

Israel-Hamas War

Sports

Yu Hae-ran, a pro, won the LPGA Walmart NM Arkansas Championship

Culture

Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) Opening (Oct.04 to Oct.13)

2023 Seoul World Firework festival (Oct. 07)

October Autumn flower festivals held throughout the country (including reeds, silver grass, buckwheat flowers, chrysanthemums, etc.)

Travel

Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues special travel advisory for Israel

September
W4 09.25 ~ 10.01
General

Chuseok holiday (Sep.28~Oct.03)

Culture

Pianist Park Jin-hyung, winner of the Tchaikovsky Competition.

Implementation of measures for the stability of people's livelihood during the Chuseok holiday (such as exemption of highway tolls)

Travel

2023 South Korea Accommodation Sale Festival (Sep.27~Oct.15)

W3 09.18 ~ 09.24
General

Gasoline and diesel prices have risen for 11 consecutive weeks in Korea

Sports

The 19th Hangzhou Asian Games from September 23rd to October 8th.

Culture

2023 Gangbyeon Song Festival (New Challenge) held in Pyeongchang

Travel

Ulleungdo large-scale landslide

W2 09.11 ~ 09.17
General

North Korea-Russia Summit

Railway labor union strike

Sports

FIFA National Team Evaluation Match: South Korea vs Saudi Arabia (Sep.13)

Athlete Woo Sang-hyuk, winner of the men's high jump at the 2023 World Athletics Federation Diamond League Final.

Culture

2023 Jeonju World Sound Festival (Sep.15.~24.), Jeonju Jazz Festival (Sep.15.~17.) held

W1 09.04 ~ 09.10
General

G20 Summit of the major 20 countries

Korean government designates October 2nd as a temporary public holiday.

Sports

FIFA National Team Evaluation Match held, Korea vs Wales game (Sep.08)

Culture

The international art fair Kiaf (Kiaf SEOUL, Sep.06~10) and Frieze (FRIEZE SEOUL, Sep.06.~09.) held.

The K-Content Festival 'Stylish Han River (Sep.08.~30.)', 'Han River Light Performance Drone Light Show (Sep.08.~Oct.27.)' held

Travel

Seoul City and Seoul Tourism Foundation hosted '2023 Seoul Medical Tourism International Travel Mart (SITMMT 2023)'

Morocco earthquake in North Africa

August
W4 08.28 ~ 09.03
General

Start of the second semester at nationwide universities

Central Disease Control Headquarters, downgrading COVID-19 to a level 4 infectious disease

Culture

Yeasan City, Chungnam Province, to hold '2023 Yeasan Beer Festival' (Sep. 01 to 03)

Jeju Folklore and Natural History Museum to hold Kazuma Yamoi Exhibition 'Seeking the Soul' (Sep. 01, 2023 to Feb. 29, 2024)

Travel

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issues a special travel advisory for Gabon in Africa, where a military coup has broken out

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization host the 2023 Mongolia Korea Medical Tourism Expo

W3 08.21 ~ 08.27
General

Japan releases contaminated water from Fukushima

Elementary, middle, and high schools start

Sports

Shin Jin-seo, 9th dan, won the 9th Ying Shibei World Professional Go Championship

UFC on ESPN 52 - Holloway vs Jung Chan-sung (Aug.26), Jung Chan-sung retires

Player Ahn Se-young, wins the 2023 World Individual Badminton Championship

Culture

2023 CassCool Festival

Gundam FUN EXPO 2023 (Aug.24 to 27)' and 'Seoul Pop Culture Convention (Aug.25 to 27)' held at COEX

The 11th 'Busan International Comedy Festival (BICF)' opens (Aug.23 to Sep.03)

W2 08.14 ~ 08.20
General

Liberation Day (Aug.15)

A summit meeting between South Korea, the United States, and Japan

Sports

2023-2024 German Bundesliga held.

Culture

78th Anniversary of Liberation Day Commemorative Historical and Cultural Festival '2023 Seodaemun Independence Festival' held (Aug.12 to 15)

Seoul Museum of Art opens '2023 Summer Music Festival' (Aug.22 to 27)

2023 World Taekwondo Culture Festival held in Chuncheon, Gangwon-do (Aug.18 to 24)

Travel

Airports raise 'departure fee' exemption from under 2 to under 6 years old

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries opens the 'Republic of Korea International Marine Leisure Week' (Aug.18 to 27)

W1 08.07 ~ 08.13
General

Typhoon Khanun, moving northward

Sports

The English Premier League (EPL), French Ligue 1, Spanish La Liga, and Italian Serie A will be held in the 2023-2024 season

Culture

Yoon Hankyeol, the first Korean to win the 'Karajan Young Conductor Award' at the competition

The 19th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival Opening (Aug.10 to Aug. 15, 2023)

Travel

Large wildfires in Hawaii

Three telecommunication companies implement 'Pass Smart Airline Ticket' service for identification and boarding pass verification through a pass app

Chinese government allows its citizens to travel abroad in groups for the first time in 3 years since the COVID-19 pandemic

2023 25th World Scout Jamboree Closing Ceremony in Saemangeum (Aug.11)

July
W5 07.31 ~ 08.06
General

National heat wave warning, tropical night

Sports

2023 Coupang Play Series, Jeonbuk Hyundai vs Paris Saint-Germain (Aug.02)

Recurve Men's/Mixed Team Gold at World Archery Championships Berlin 2023

Culture

2023 Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival (Aug.04 to Aug.06)

Travel

2023 Saemangeum hosts the 25th World Scout Jamboree

W4 07.24 ~ 07.30
General

National heat wave warning · tropical night & heavy rain advisory

Continual senseless crime in Sillim and Bundang occurred

Sports

2023 Coupang Play Series, Team K League vs AT. Madrid (Jul.27)

2023 Coupang Play Series, Manchester City vs AT. Madrid (Jul.30)

Hosted the 2023 KOVO Cup professional volleyball tournament (Jul.29 to Aug.13)

Culture

Boryeong Mud Festival Opens (Jul.21 to Aug.06)

Summer festivals held throughout Gangwon Province (Hongcheon, Hwacheon, Taebaek, Sokcho, Chulwon, etc.)

W3 07.17 ~ 07.23
General

Heat warning for inland areas including Seoul

Declared 13 special disaster areas, including Yecheon, North Gyeongsang Province and Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do Province

Sports

Kim Min-jae signs a five-year contract with FC Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga

Culture

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism holds Korea Summer Beauty Sale (Jul.20 to Aug.20)

Kim Young-woong wins Grand Prix at the 20th Seoul International Dance Competition

Travel

International Outdoor Camping & Sports Festival Seoul (Jul.21 to Jul.23)

W2 07.10 ~ 07.16
General

National heavy rain warning

Sports

Woo Sang-hyuk wins men's high jump at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships

2023 KBO League All-Star Games (Jul.15)

Culture

Character Licensing Fair 2023 (Jul.13 to Jul.16)

Seoul Art Fair Urban Break 2023 opens (Jul.13 to Jul.16)

Pianist Sehyun Kim Wins First Prize at Cleveland International Youth Piano Competition

Travel

Incheon International Airport pre-registers for facial recognition departure service 'Smart Pass'

W1 07.03 ~ 07.09
General

National heatwave warning

Sports

Lee Kang-in signs a five-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in Ligue 1, France

Culture

Dinosaur Expo, held at KINTEX in Ilsan (Jul.08 to Aug.27)

2023 World Choir Contest, held in Gangneung, Korea (Jul.03 to Jul.13)

June
W4 06.26 ~ 07.02
General

Beaches open nationwide

Culture

2023 Incheon Pentaport Music Festival

Travel

Korea Tourism Organization hosts 'HIKR Festa' to celebrate one year anniversary of Korea Tourism Organization's 'HIKR Ground'

W3 06.19 ~ 06.25
General

Russia sees 'Wagnerian' coup d'état

Sports

Hosted a soccer national team trial (South Korea vs. El Salvador, 6.20)

Culture

2023 Waterbomb held in 9 cities including Seoul, Incheon, and Busan (Jun.23 to Aug.19)

Travel

Seoul Named 'Best Leisure City in Asia' (Global Traveler, 11th Leisure Lifestyle Awards)

Korea Tourism Organization to host '2023 Pet Tourism Forum'

W2 06.12 ~ 06.18
General

Hosted a soccer national team trial (South Korea vs Peru, Jun.16)

Culture

Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Tourism Organization to host '2023 BTS 10th Anniversary Festa' (Jun.12 to 25)

Bruno Mars Super Concert in Korea (Jun.17 to 18)

UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity '2023 Gangneung Dan-o Festival' (Jun.18 to 25)

Tenor Kim Sung-ho wins vocal category at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World 2023

W1 06.05 ~ 06.11
General

Memorial Day (Jun. 6)

Establishment of Gangwon special self-governing province

Culture

Musical Chicago in Korea, held at Blue Square in Seoul (May.27~Aug.06)

Travel

K-TAC (Korea Small Travel Agency Cooperative) Offers 'Let's Play Summer!' Discount Promotion

May
W5 05.29 ~ 06.04
General

24,604 new COVID-19 cases (As of May.31)

COVID-19 emergency level downgraded to ‘Alert’ (reversing to 5-day quarantine recommended)

Buddha's Birthday substitute holiday designation finalized

North Korea launches military reconnaissance satellite

Sports

Kim Min-jae wins Serie A's best defense award

Culture

Baritone Taehan Kim becomes the first Asian man to win the Queen Elizabeth Competition, one of the world's top three competitions

National Museum of Korea, hosts "Eyes on Us: Masterpieces from the National Gallery, London." (Jun.02 to Oct.09)

2023 World DJ Festival Opens (Jun.02 to Jun.04)

Travel

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism-Korea Tourism Organization to launch 2023 Travel Month campaign (Jun.01 to Jun.30)

2023 Korea Accommodation Sale Festa (Regional: May.30 to Jun.01, National: Jun.02 to Jun. 30)

W4 05.22 ~ 05.28
General

19,080 new COVID-19 cases (As of May.24)

Success of the third launch of Nuri rocket

Culture

2023 Seoul Jazz Festival Opens (May.26 to May.28)

Travel

Guam closes airport as Typhoon Mawar hits

W3 05.15 ~ 05.21
General

21,797 new COVID-19 cases (As of May.17)

Teachers' day/Coming-of-Age day (May. 15)

Sports

Jin Young Ko wins LPGA's Founders Cup

2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina (Ma.20 to Jun.11)

Woo Sang-hyuk wins the 2023 Seiko Golden Grand Prix

Culture

Luxury brand Gucci hosts '2024 Cruise Fashion Show' at Gyeongbokgung Palace (May.16)

2023 Korea Craft Week opens

Travel

2023 Yeon Deung Hoe_Lotus Lantern Festival (May.19 to May.21)

W2 05.08 ~ 05.14
General

20,504 new COVID-19 cases (As of May.10)

Parents' Day (May.08)

Government declares that the disease has become endemic : All mandates lifted starting June

Sports

Celtic FC (Oh's team) wins early Scottish Premiership title

Culture

Ceramic festival opens (Ichon, Yeoju)

W1 05.01 ~ 05.07
General

20,146 new COVID-19 cases (As of May.03)

Labor Day (May.01)

Children's day (May.05)

Sports

S.S.C Napoli (Kim Min-jae's team) wins early Serie A title

2023 LoL Mid-Season Invitational (May.02 to May.21)

Culture

Premium art fair 'Art Busan 2023' opens (May.05 to May.07)

Travel

SEOUL FESTA 2023 held (Apr.30 to May.07)

Abolished international travelers' customs declaration forms

April
W4 04.24 ~ 04.30
General

14,284 new COVID-19 cases (As of Apr.26)

Up to 9-day holiday including Labor Day - Children's Day (Apr.29 to May.07)

Sports

Held the 2023 National Living Sports Festival (Apr.27)

Culture

The 9th Palace Culture Festival, held at the Five Great Palaces (Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Gyeonghee Palace), Jongmyo, and Sajikdan (Apr.29 to May.07)

24th Jeonju International Film Festival (JEONJU IFF) Opens (Apr.27 to May.06)

W3 04.17 ~ 04.23
General

14,094 new COVID-19 cases (As of Apr.19)

Sports

Opening of the 61st Sports Week 2023 (Apr.23 to Apr.29)

Culture

Edward Hopper Exhibition 'On the Road' at the Seoul Museum of Art (Apr.20 to Aug.20)

Held cultural performance 'Feast of Blue Seasons, Blue House' to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the opening of the Blue House to the public (Apr.21 to 29)

Travel

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism selects K-tourism islands to visit (Geomun Island, Maldo-Myeongdo-Bangchuk Island, Baekryeong Island, Ulleung Island, and Heuksan Island)

Gyeonggi-do to launch 'EG Tour Bus' service for foreign tourists by the end of the year

W2 04.10 ~ 04.16
General

11,596 new COVID-19 cases (As of Apr.12)

Gangneung large wildfire outbreak (Apr.11)

High level of yellow dust from China affecting the entire nation

Authorities raise Monkeypox alert level to 'Warning'

Culture

Korea's longest-running art fair, '2023 Hwarang Art Festival', held at COEX (Apr.12 to 16)

Opening of the traditional cultural festival 'Gyeongbokgung Palace Starlight Tour' (Apr.15 to May.13)

Korea Council for the Arts, ARCO Museum of Art holds special exhibition 'Memory-Space' Apr.14 to Jul.23

W1 04.03 ~ 04.09
General

12,084 new COVID-19 cases (As of Apr.05)

Culture

14th Gwangju Biennale opens (Apr.07 to Jul.09)

The 18th Seoul Spring Festival of Chamber Music (SSF) (Apr.26 to May.07)

March
W4 03.27 ~ 04.02
General

11,039 new COVID-19 cases (As of Mar.29)

Sports

FIFA National Team Trials Korea vs. Uruguay (Mar.28)

2023 KBO League started (Apr.01~)

Culture

Tongyeong International Music Festival, Korea's largest classical music festival, opens (Mar.31 to Apr.09)

Musical 'The Phantom of the Opera' opens at Busan Dream Theater (Mar.25~Jun.18)

2023 Seoul Mobility Show (Seoul Motor Show), held at KINTEX in Ilsan, Korea (Mar.30 to Apr.09)

Travel

Government announces 60 billion won subsidy in vacation expenses for 1 million people to boost domestic economy (Mar.29)

Government Temporarily Exempts 22 Countries, Including Japan and Taiwan, from Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) (until Dec.31, 2024)

Korea-China flights resumed (Gimpo - Beijing, Gimpo - Shanghai)

W3 03.20 ~ 03.26
General

11,400 new COVID-19 cases (As of Mar.22)

Mask mandate for public transportation lifted

Sports

FIFA National Team Trials Korea vs. Colombia (Mar.24)

Culture

Musical 'Mamma Mia' reopens at Chungmu Art Center, Seoul (Mar.24 to Jun.25)

Animation movie "Suzume no Tojimari" exceeds 3 million viewers in 20 days (released on Mar.08)

2023 F/W Seoul Fashion Week (Mar.15 to Mar.19)

Travel

Cherry blossom season (Mar.22 to Apr.08)

W2 03.13 ~ 03.19
General

9,934 new COVID-19 cases (As of Mar.15)

North Korea launches short-range ballistic missile

Sports

2023 KBO pre-season game (Mar.13 to Mar.28)

Korea vs. China game of Group B, 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC)

Son Heung-min wins 'Goal of the Year' at the London Football Awards

Culture

Musical 'Cats' to tour 11 cities in Korea from March 17 (Gyeongju, Incheon, Daegu, etc.)

Travel

China resumes issuing tourist visas to South Koreans

W1 03.06 ~ 03.12
General

10,890 new COVID-19 cases (As of Mar.08)

North Korea launches short-range ballistic missile

Sports

Jin Young Ko wins LPGA HSBC Women's World Championship

2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) open (Mar.08 to Mar.21)

2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), Group B, Korea vs. Australia (Mar.09) / Korea vs. Japan (Mar.10) / Korea vs. Czech Republic (Mar.12)

2023 ISU World Short Track Championships, Seoul (Mar.10 to Mar.12)

Jae-ho Cho wins SK Rent-a-Car PBA-LPBA World Championship 2023

Culture

'Maurizio Cattelan' exhibition in LEEUM Art Museum exceeds 100,000 visitors (Jan.31 to Jul.16)

Travel

Seoul to provide 5 million won in employment support for inbound travel agencies

February
W4 02.27 ~ 03.05
General

7.561 new COVID-19 cases (As of Mar.01)

Samiljeol (Independence movement day)

Culture

2023 First Art Fair ‘Busan International Gallery Art Fair (BAMA)’ held at BEXCO (Mar.02 to Mar.05)

Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture held the '1st Seoul Arts Awards' ceremony

K Auction and If Children hold a special charity auction for children in Türkiye

Travel

Government lifts COVID-19 PCR obligations for travelers arriving from China

Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism/Korea Tourism Organization, newly selected 5 'Night Tourism Specialized Cities' (Busan, Daejeon, Gangneung, Jeonju, and Jinju City)

W3 02.20 ~ 02.26
General

10,845 new COVID-19 cases (As of Feb.22)

1 year of Russian invasion of Ukraine

Sports

2023 K League 1 Kickoff (Feb.25 to Nov.12)

A total of 101,632 spectators in 6 K-League matches, attracting the largest number of spectators ever

Culture

The movie ‘The First Slam Dunk’, a Japanese animation, recorded the 2nd place for the first time in domestic box office history

The National Library of Korea holds a special exhibition commemorating the 1st anniversary of Lee O-ryeong (Lee O-ryeong's Book) (Feb.25 to Apr.23)

The 12th 'Seoul International Sculpture Festa' held at COEX (Mar.02 to Mar.05)

W2 02.13 ~ 02.19
General

12,519 new COVID-19 cases (As of Feb.15)

COVID-19 Vaccination for Infants and Children

North Korea launches ballistic missile over East Sea

Culture

Concert commemorating the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Seoul Arts Center (Feb. 14 to 24)

K-Illustration Fair Seoul 2023, held at COEX (Feb.16 to 19)

The Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea Memorial Hall hosts the 104th anniversary of the 3.1st Paragraph Exhibition 'Declare We are an Independent Country'

W1 02.06 ~ 02.12
General

14,664 new COVID-19 cases (As of Feb.08)

Ended 'Disaster Text' notifications for COVID-19 cases

7.8 magnitude earthquake in Turkiye-Syria (Feb.06)

Sports

Lee Hae-in won the women's single free skating at the International Skating Union (ISU) Four Continents Championships

Culture

Seoul Museum of Arts and Crafts holds special exhibition of costumes by first-generation Korean fashion designers Choi Kyung-ja, Norano, and Andre Kim (Feb.07 to Apr.02)

The 1st Seoul International Art Expo (WAE), held at COEX (Feb.09 to 12)

String quartet 'Arete Quartet' wins 1st place at the Mozart International Competition

Travel

Government resumes issuing short-term visas from China

January
W5 01.30 ~ 02.05
General

16,862 new COVID-19 cases (As of Feb. 01)

Indoor mask mandate lifted (Jan. 30)

Sports

UFC Fight Night: 'Lewis vs. Spivak', 'Jung Da-un, Choi Doo-ho, Park Jun-yong' participated

Culture

Musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar' 5 city tour (Feb. 03 to Mar. 05)

Expanded support for the Culture Nuri Card (Integrated Cultural Voucher)

Travel

Closure of City Airport Terminal in Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

China PCR tests all arrivals from South Korea

W4 01.23 ~ 01.29
General

35,096 new COVID-19 cases (As of Jan. 25)

Culture

'Avatar: The Way of Water' becomes the first post-COVID-19 movie to reach 10 million viewers in Korea (Jan. 24)

Takashi Murakami's 'Murakami Zombie Vision' held at Busan Museum of Art (Jan. 26 to Mar. 12)

Soprano Han Ye-won won the first prize at the Tenervinas International Vocal Competition in Spain

Vienna Boys Choir in Korea, New Year's Concert Tour in 6 cities nationwide (Jan. 27 to Feb. 05)

Travel

Extension of restrictions on short-term visas departing from China in February

W3 01.16 ~ 01.22
General

29,816 new COVID-19 cases (As of Jan. 18)

Lunar New Year Holidays (Jan. 21 to 23)

New Year's Day substitute holiday (Jan. 24)

Sports

2023 LCK (League of legend Champions Korea) spring held (Jan. 18 to Apr. 9)

Culture

Opening of Miguel Chevalier 'Digital Beauty' media art exhibition (Jan. 18 to Feb. 11)

Gangwon Inje 'Smelt Festival (Jan. 20 to 29)', Pyeongchang 'Daegwallyeong Snow Flower Festival (Jan. 20 to 29)'

Travel

Free PCR tests at 6 highway rest areas nationwide for Lunar New Year holidays

W2 01.09 ~ 01.15
General

43,953 new COVID-19 cases (As of Jan. 11)

3.7 earthquake off the coast of Ganghwa Island

Sports

Kwon Soon-woo won the 2nd tennis tournament in Adelaide International on the Australian ATP Tour

Siwoo Kim wins Sony Open in Hawaii PGA

Culture

‘Elementary school cellist’ Kim Jeong-ah wins the cello category at the ‘Young Tchaikovsky International Competition’

Michael Bolton concert held in Korea (Jan. 14 to 15)

Musical 'Beethoven; Beethoven Secret' premiere in Korea (Jan. 12 to Mar. 26)

Travel

China suspends short-term visa issuance for Koreans

Opening of 'Korea Grand Sale', a shopping culture and tourism festival (Jan. 12~Feb. 28)

W1 01.02 ~ 01.08
General

64,106 new COVID-19 cases (As of Jan. 4)

3.7 earthquake off the coast of Ganghwa Island

Culture

‘Insa Art Week’ (IWA 2023), a New Year’s art festival, held in Insa-dong, Seoul (Jan. 4 to 15)

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, '2023 New Year's offline Concert' held at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall after 3 years since the outbreak (Jan. 4)

The size of the Korean art market in 2022 will exceed 1 trillion won for the first time in history, a 37.2% increase from the previous year

The Korean government provides the largest amount of financial support (KRW 790 billion) to foster K-content

Director Park Chan-wook's 'Decision to leave' was nominated in 10 Asian Film Awards (AFA) categories, recording the most nominations

Travel

Gangwon Hwacheon 'Trout Festival (Jan. 7 to 29)', Pyeongchang 'Trout Festival (Dec. 30 2022 to Jan. 29, 2023)' held

Vacation Fund for Workers project application period (Jan. 2 to exhausted)