Government to promote wearing hanbok in public sector
Forget about hanbok as full-on festive regalia; it can also be part of our everyday wardrobes.
In an effort to bring traditional Korean clothing into the modern day, the government said Thursday that it will designate the last Wednesday of each month as "Wear Hanbok Day" and will encourage public officials and institutions to wear the attire on that day.
In March 2021, the ministry designated the last Wednesday of every month as "A Good Day to Wear Hanbok," but the new scheme is more detailed and makes traditional attire part of the dress code for some jobs.
The initiative, part of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's basic plan for promoting traditional cultural industries, was announced during Thursday's ministerial meeting on social affairs. It aims to build a sustainable environment in which the traditional cultural sector can grow without losing its essence and adapting modern concepts.
Under the plan, the government will designate hanbok as the official dress code for national holidays such as the March 1 Independence Movement Day, Liberation Day, which falls on Aug. 15, Hangeul Day, which falls on Oct. 9 and the Oct. 3 National Foundation Day, as well as 57 other commemorative days to recommend people wear hanbok.
Also, the government will introduce hanbok as workwear next year starting with fields where employees frequently interact with visitors or the public. These include museums, art galleries, overseas Korean cultural centers and public institutions.
junheee@heraldcorp.com
