2009 Korean Lunar New Year: Year of the Ox

Korea will celebrate its annual Lunar New Year holiday from January 25-27.

I have some recommendations.

For your Korean colleagues in Korea, you can wish them Happy Lunar New Year by phone, or email on Thursday, January 22. For Koreans working in the U.S. or globally you can wish then Happy Lunar New Years on Friday January 23 (pm) or Monday January 26.

Here is the formal greeting--Sae hae bok mani ba deu say yo. 

I suggest you also share with your non-Korean teams the significance of the holiday.

Here is some info to share with the team:

The 2009 Lunar New Year celebration (Seol) is Jan. 25-27. This is the year of the Ox.

In Korea's past, the ox was the symbol of the three main virtues – honesty, sincerity and self-sacrifice. It works slowly, but steadily, is always patient, and never complains. It is commonly thought that those born in the year of the Ox are hard-working and loyal. They can be extremely determined and focused once they put their mind to something.

Along with Chusok (the fall harvest festival), Lunar New Year is the most important of traditional Korean holidays.

In Korea, Seol includes gift-giving and family activities that show respect to elders and ancestors. Most Korean businesses are closed for the holiday with millions of Koreans traveling to join their family or take a short vacation.

Here's a link with more on the Holiday. Click.

Hope this is helpful, Sae hae bok mani ba deu say yo.
DS