How many public holidays does Korea have in 2026?

Korea has 15 official public holidays (공휴일) in 2026, including multi-day holidays like Seollal (Lunar New Year, 3 days) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving, 3 days). When holidays fall on weekends, substitute holidays (대체공휴일) are given on the next weekday, so you may get additional days off. All public holidays are paid days off under the Labor Standards Act for employees at companies with 5 or more workers.

What is closed during Seollal and Chuseok in Korea?

During Seollal (설날, Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (추석, Korean Thanksgiving), many restaurants, shops, markets, and small businesses close for 3 days as Koreans travel to their hometowns. Tourist areas, convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven), and some franchise restaurants remain open. Public transportation runs on a reduced holiday schedule. Highways become extremely congested — sometimes 6-8 hours for a normally 3-hour trip.

Do foreigners get public holidays off in Korea?

Yes, under the Korean Labor Standards Act (근로기준법), all employees — including foreign workers — are entitled to paid public holidays off at companies with 5 or more employees. If you must work on a public holiday, your employer should pay holiday premium pay (휴일 근로수당) at 150% of your regular hourly wage. This applies to all visa types including E-2 English teachers and E-7 professionals.

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Living in Korea

Korea Public Holidays 2026

Complete guide to all Korean public holidays — dates, meanings, what's open or closed, and how to plan your vacation days.

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Liberation Day

광복절 · August 15 (Sat)

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📅2026 Korean Public Holidays

New Year's Day(신정)

January 1

Western New Year. Most Koreans celebrate Seollal (Lunar New Year) more, but Jan 1 is still a public holiday.

What's open/closed: Most shops and restaurants are open. Some government offices closed.

Seollal (Lunar New Year)(설날)

February 17-19

Korea's biggest holiday along with Chuseok. Families gather, eat tteokguk (떡국), perform ancestral rites (세배), and children receive money (세뱃돈).

What's open/closed: Many restaurants, shops, and markets CLOSED for 3 days. Tourist areas and convenience stores usually open. Public transit runs on reduced schedule.

* Substitute holiday (대체공휴일) applies if this falls on a weekend.

Independence Movement Day(삼일절)

March 1

Commemorates the March 1, 1919 independence movement against Japanese colonial rule. National flags (태극기) displayed everywhere.

What's open/closed: Most businesses open. Government offices and banks closed. Special ceremonies at historical sites.

* Substitute holiday (대체공휴일) applies if this falls on a weekend.

Children's Day(어린이날)

May 5

A day dedicated to children's happiness and welfare. Parks, zoos, and amusement parks are extremely crowded. Many parents take the day off.

What's open/closed: Tourist attractions very crowded. Most businesses open. Theme parks at maximum capacity — book in advance.

* Substitute holiday (대체공휴일) applies if this falls on a weekend.

Buddha's Birthday(부처님 오신 날 (석가탄신일))

May 24

Celebration of Buddha's birth. Beautiful lantern festivals (연등회) at temples across Korea. Jogyesa Temple in Seoul is spectacular.

What's open/closed: Most businesses open. Temples hold special events. Lantern parade in Seoul (usually the weekend before).

* Substitute holiday (대체공휴일) applies if this falls on a weekend.

Memorial Day(현충일)

June 6

Honors those who died in service to the nation. A siren sounds at 10:00 AM for one minute of silence nationwide.

What's open/closed: Government offices and banks closed. Most shops and restaurants open. National Cemetery holds ceremony.

Liberation Day(광복절)

August 15

Celebrates Korea's liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. National flags displayed. Patriotic events and ceremonies held nationwide.

What's open/closed: Government offices closed. Most businesses open. Some free admission to national museums and palaces.

National Foundation Day(개천절)

October 3

Commemorates the legendary founding of Gojoseon (고조선), the first Korean kingdom, by Dangun in 2333 BC.

What's open/closed: Government offices closed. Most businesses open. Ceremony held at Chamseongdan altar on Ganghwado island.

Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving)(추석)

October 4-6

Harvest festival and major family holiday. Families gather, visit ancestral graves (성묘), eat songpyeon (송편) rice cakes, and share food.

What's open/closed: Many restaurants, shops, and markets CLOSED for 3 days. Highways extremely congested. Tourist areas and convenience stores usually open.

* Substitute holiday (대체공휴일) applies if this falls on a weekend.

Hangeul Day(한글날)

October 9

Celebrates the creation of the Korean alphabet (한글) by King Sejong the Great in 1443. Cultural events and exhibitions throughout the country.

What's open/closed: Government offices closed. Most businesses open. Special events at the National Hangeul Museum and Gwanghwamun Square.

Christmas(크리스마스)

December 25

Celebrated widely in Korea despite being a minority Christian country. More of a couples' holiday (like Valentine's Day) than a family gathering.

What's open/closed: Most businesses and restaurants open. Shopping areas very busy. Couples crowd cafes and restaurants.

Substitute Holidays (대체공휴일)

Since 2023, Korea's substitute holiday system (대체공휴일 제도) was expanded to cover most public holidays. If a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday becomes a substitute holiday. This applies to: Seollal, Chuseok, Independence Movement Day, Children's Day, Buddha's Birthday, Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, Hangeul Day, and Christmas.

For workers: Public holidays are guaranteed paid days off under the Labor Standards Act (근로기준법). If you must work on a holiday, your employer should pay 150% of your regular wage (holiday premium pay / 휴일 근로수당). This applies to companies with 5 or more employees.

Vacation Planning Tips

Golden weeks: Look for holidays near weekends to maximize time off. In 2026, Seollal (Feb 17-19, Tue-Thu) plus 2 annual leave days gives you 9 days off. The October cluster (National Foundation Oct 3 + Chuseok Oct 4-6 + Hangeul Day Oct 9) is another great opportunity for extended travel.

Travel warnings: During Seollal and Chuseok, highways are extremely congested (sometimes 6-8 hours for normally 3-hour trips). KTX and bus tickets sell out weeks in advance. Flights within Asia also spike in price. Book early or stay in the cities — Seoul becomes pleasantly empty during these holidays.

Annual leave (연차): Under Korean labor law, employees receive 15 days of paid annual leave after 1 year of employment (11 days for the first year, earned monthly). Many companies also offer additional leave around Seollal and Chuseok. Some companies close entirely during these periods.