About South Korea Holidays & Observances
Public holidays in South Korea (frequently termed 공휴일 locally) represent dates defined by government legislation to provide workers and schools with paid time off. These holidays are deeply rooted in the nation's civic, historical, and religious fabric.
Whether celebrating foundational national acts like Independence, honoring local heroes, or observing significant spiritual and seasonal celebrations, the South Korea holiday calendar is highly diverse. When holidays fall on weekends, businesses and government authorities often declare a substitute public holiday on the preceding Friday or following Monday to extend long weekends.
Planning Around Long Weekends
Long weekends are marked in amber shading in the table above. These days represent exceptional high-ROI travel and relaxation periods. Planning holiday logistics ahead of time can unlock maximum efficiency for personal and family travel schedules.
Frequently Asked Questions — South Korea Public Holidays
South Korea observes 15 national public holidays, including Independence Movement Day, Chuseok (Harvest Festival), and Seollal (Lunar New Year).
If a national holiday falls on a weekend, the government declares the next following non-holiday weekday as a substitute day off.