National Foundation Day Korean Flag Ceremony (Class 6-8)
Conduct a dignified Korean National Foundation Day flag ceremony with student compère lines, flag etiquette, and citation templates for Class 6-8.

National Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol) flag ceremony honoring the legendary origin of Korea and the founding of Gojoseon.
Solemn, dignified, and patriotic, reflective of Korean national heritage.
개천절을 경축합니다 Gaecheonjeol-eul gyeongchuk-hamnida
- Runs
- 15 min
- The order
- 7 steps
- Citations
- 2 templates
- The hall
- 4 things to do
- Stand at attention and face the flag during the salutation.
- Place your right hand flat over your left chest if not wearing a military uniform.
- Maintain respectful silence while Aegukga is played or sung.
- Applaud respectfully after all citations are completely read.
- Hoisting
- The Taegeukgi is raised smoothly and quickly to the top of the flagpole for full-mast display on national holidays.
- Lowering
- The flag is lowered slowly and solemnly at the end of the day or conclusion of daylight hours.
- How the hall stands
- Stand upright with heels together, shoulders square, facing directly toward the flag.
- The salute
- Non-uniformed citizens raise their right hand over their left chest. Uniformed personnel offer a military hand salute.
- The anthem
- Aegukga verse 1 and chorus are sung immediately after the Pledge of Allegiance, lasting approximately 58 seconds.
- Never
- The flag must never touch the ground, be used as a cover, or be displayed outdoors during heavy rain, snow, or harsh winds.
- Who may hoist it
- The head of the institution or a designated officer is responsible for hoisting the flag at a school.
Step by step, with the ceremony clock
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1
Opening Call to Order
Good morning, students and teachers. Today we gather to observe Gaecheonjeol, National Foundation Day, honoring the opening of heaven and the founding of our first nation, Gojoseon.
Stand at attention at the podium.
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2
Flag Hoisting and Attention Stance
Please face the Taegeukgi. Attention posture for the national flag.
All students and teachers turn toward the Taegeukgi, standing firmly with hands at their sides.
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3
Salute to the Flag and Pledge of Allegiance
In front of the proud Taegeukgi, I firmly pledge my allegiance for the eternal glory of a free and just Republic of Korea.
Place right hand over left chest.
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4
Singing of Aegukga
Sing verse 1 of Aegukga continuously with right hand over left chest while the flag reaches full-mast.
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5
Historical Commemoration Address
In 2333 BCE, Dangun Wanggeom established Gojoseon at Mount Taebaek. The legacy of Hwanung and Ungnyeo reminds us of our deep roots, our heritage of peace, and our commitment to the welfare of humanity.
Lower hand back to side, speak into microphone.
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6
Special Recognition Citations
Presents heritage and history project recognition awards to selected student representatives.
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7
Concluding Address and Dismissal
Let us carry forward the spirit of harmony symbolic of the Taegeukgi in our daily lives. Assembly dismissed.
Bow respectfully to the assembly.
The last line: Thank you everyone, please return to your classrooms in order.
Pick the template, fill the blanks, read it from the card
The opening, the lines between names, the closing
Good morning, Principal, teachers, and fellow students. Today, October 3rd marks Gaecheonjeol, the day when the heavens opened and Gojoseon was founded in 2333 BCE. As we stand before the Taegeukgi, we recall our shared history and the values of harmony and unity. Please maintain absolute silence and full attention throughout this ceremony.
- Let us warmly acknowledge the dedicated effort shown by our student representatives.
- Thank you for honoring our school community through your exemplary work.
This concludes our Gaecheonjeol flag ceremony. May we reflect on our proud heritage and show dedication to our school and nation throughout the day. Thank you, everyone.
Who hands it, which hand, where the photo is
The Principal hands the award certificate using both hands, receiving a respectful bow from the student. The awardee accepts with both hands and bows back. A formal photograph is taken on the right side of the stage facing the audience.
- Every recognized student receives equal applause from the hall.
- Students acknowledged in absence have their awards noted with respect by the assembly.
What a first-time compère should know
- Maintain a slow, measured cadence while reading the ceremony steps.
- Ensure your right hand is over your left chest promptly during the pledge.
- Stand tall on the podium and keep your right hand flat over your left chest during the flag salute.
- Speak clearly into the microphone using a calm, dignified tone fitting a national ceremony.
- Pause briefly after announcing the salute to give the hall time to come to attention.
- Maintain steady eye contact with the audience, looking up regularly from your script.
Worth knowing
- Gaecheonjeol, meaning 'the day the Heaven opens', is observed on October 3rd in South Korea.
- The holiday marks the legendary founding of Gojoseon by Dangun Wanggeom in 2333 BCE.
- The Taegeukgi, Korea's national flag, features a white field, a red and blue taegeuk, and four black trigrams.
- The white background represents peace and purity, while the taegeuk symbolizes the balance of yin and yang.
- The four corner trigrams stand for heaven, earth, water, and fire.
- A formal flag salute requires placing the right hand over the left chest while facing the Taegeukgi.
Where it is done, and why
Gaecheonjeol, or National Foundation Day, marks the origin of Korea on October 3rd. Leading a school flag ceremony on this day requires dignity, proper protocol, and respect for national heritage. This page gives you a complete script, step-by-step assembly order, official flag code rules for the Taegeukgi, and award citations for your school gathering.
Use the compère lines to direct the hall smoothly from the posture call through the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem, Aegukga. Review the flag etiquette section to ensure your school follows correct hoisting, stance, and handling procedures during the event.
About this piece
- Gaecheonjeol is observed annually on October 3rd to commemorate the founding of Gojoseon in 2333 BCE.
- The name translates to "the day on which Heaven opens," honoring the legendary descending of Hwanung to Mount Taebaek.
- The South Korean national flag is called the Taegeukgi, featuring a white field, a red and blue taegeuk, and four trigrams.
- The white background symbolizes peace and purity, while the central taegeuk represents the balance of yin and yang.
- The four corner trigrams stand for heaven, earth, water, and fire.
- On national holidays, the Taegeukgi is displayed at full-mast during daylight hours.
- The formal salute is performed by placing the right hand flat over the left chest while standing at attention facing the flag.
How it is done
- In South Korean schools, National Foundation Day ceremonies begin with a posture call, followed by the salute to the Taegeukgi, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, singing the first verse of Aegukga, and a brief historical address.