South Korea is celebrating National Foundation Day today, Saturday, with a formal ceremony in Seoul, where Prime Minister Han Seong-sook called on the nation to use the power of culture to confront challenges shared by all of humanity.
Speaking at the congratulatory ceremony held at the Sejong Center, Han said Koreans should “broaden the scope of empathy and solidarity” and take the lead in sharing their experiences, technologies and cultural capabilities with the wider world.
The holiday, observed every year on October 3, commemorates the founding of Gojoseon, regarded as the first Korean kingdom. Han said that reaching out in this way would help realize the founding spirit of Gojoseon, which calls for benefiting humanity.
The prime minister also vowed to press ahead with the government’s plan to build an “AI-basic society,” promising that the transition would not isolate anyone.
The initiative, part of the Lee Jae Myung administration’s policy agenda, aims to ensure that people can access AI services regardless of their income, age or level of digital literacy. The goal, Han indicated, is for the benefits of the technology to be spread evenly across society.
Turning to domestic matters, Han said the government would concentrate on improving everyday living conditions. Its priorities include promoting housing stability, creating jobs and expanding financial support for ordinary citizens, so that the public can feel the benefits of policy in their daily lives.
🇵🇰🤝🇰🇷 Heartiest felicitations to the People and Government of Republic of Korea on their National Foundation Day.@MOFAkr_eng@PakinROKorea pic.twitter.com/HVqSuljhtB
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 3, 2026
Congratulatory messages also arrived from other countries as South Korea celebrated the occasion. Among them was a message from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which extended its good wishes to Seoul.
“Heartiest felicitations to the People and Government of Republic of Korea on their National Foundation Day,” the ministry said.
The messages underscore the friendly ties South Korea maintains with partners around the world, an outlook that echoes Han’s call for greater global solidarity and cultural exchange.
National Foundation Day, also known as Gaecheonjeol, is one of South Korea’s national holidays. This year’s observance placed particular emphasis on culture and on making technological progress inclusive.
