Sources: Korea AeroSpace Administration 2027 calendar (월력요항); Ministry of Personnel Management press release on Labor Day and Constitution Day becoming public holidays (2026).
Last reviewed: October 27, 2026
Quick answer
- Korea has a generous holiday year in 2027, including 7 substitute holidays. Many holidays fall on weekends, so you get a lot of Monday days off.
- From 2026, Labor Day (May 1) and Constitution Day (July 17) are public holidays again.
- The longest break is Chuseok (Sept 14–16). Add two days of annual leave and you get 9 days off.
- Companies with 5 or more employees must give public holidays as paid days off. At small workplaces and farms, check your contract.
In this guide
2027 public holiday calendar
| Date | Day | Holiday | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Fri | New Year’s Day | 3-day weekend |
| Feb 6–9 | Sat–Tue | Seollal (Lunar New Year) | Feb 9 (Tue) is a substitute holiday: 4 days off |
| Mar 1 | Mon | Independence Movement Day | 3-day weekend |
| May 1 → May 3 | Sat → Mon | Labor Day | May 3 (Mon) substitute holiday |
| May 5 | Wed | Children’s Day | |
| May 13 | Thu | Buddha’s Birthday | |
| Jun 6 | Sun | Memorial Day | No substitute holiday |
| Jul 17 → Jul 19 | Sat → Mon | Constitution Day | Jul 19 (Mon) substitute holiday |
| Aug 15 → Aug 16 | Sun → Mon | Liberation Day | Aug 16 (Mon) substitute holiday |
| Sep 14–16 | Tue–Thu | Chuseok | Chuseok day is Sep 15 (Wed) |
| Oct 3 → Oct 4 | Sun → Mon | National Foundation Day | Oct 4 (Mon) substitute holiday |
| Oct 9 → Oct 11 | Sat → Mon | Hangeul Day | Oct 11 (Mon) substitute holiday |
| Dec 25 → Dec 27 | Sat → Mon | Christmas | Dec 27 (Mon) substitute holiday |
The government sometimes adds a one-off temporary holiday. If that happens, we will update this page.
How to turn holidays into long breaks
| Break | Leave to take | Days off |
|---|---|---|
| Labor Day to Children’s Day | May 4 (Tue) | May 1 (Sat) – May 5 (Wed): 5 days |
| Buddha’s Birthday | May 14 (Fri) | May 13 (Thu) – May 16 (Sun): 4 days |
| Chuseok | Sep 13 (Mon) and Sep 17 (Fri) | Sep 11 (Sat) – Sep 19 (Sun): 9 days |
- Your coworkers want these leave days too. Ask your team early, ideally a month or two ahead.
- Chuseok is the best time for a trip home. Flights get expensive fast, so start looking in June or July.
- Not sure how many leave days you have? See overtime, severance and leave rights.
What Seollal and Chuseok are like
- Transport: express bus and KTX tickets sell out on the first booking day. Booking dates are usually announced 3–4 weeks before the holiday.
- Shops: on Seollal and Chuseok day itself, many restaurants and markets close. Convenience stores stay open. Stock up on food for a day or two.
- Company gifts: many companies hand out holiday gift sets (ham, tuna, fruit, toiletries), and some pay a holiday bonus. A simple “감사합니다” (thank you) is all you need.
- Greeting: on the last workday before the break, try “명절 잘 보내세요!” (Have a good holiday!). Coworkers love it.
- A quiet Seoul: the city empties out, and the royal palaces often open free of charge during the holidays.
Does my workplace close on holidays?
| Workplace | What usually applies |
|---|---|
| 5 or more employees | Public and substitute holidays are paid days off. If you work on one, you get holiday work pay. |
| Fewer than 5 employees | The employer does not have to give public holidays off. Check your contract or company rules. |
| Farming, livestock, fishing | The general holiday rules do not apply in the same way, so your contract decides. See the E-9 employment contract guide. |
| Shift factories | Lines often keep running on holidays. You get another day off or extra pay instead. |
FAQ
Wasn’t Labor Day already a day off?
The old “Workers’ Day” was a paid day off for employees under labor law, but not an official public holiday. From 2026 it is called Labor Day (노동절) and is a public holiday, with a substitute day when it falls on a weekend.
Why is there no substitute day for Memorial Day (June 6)?
Memorial Day is not on the list of holidays that get a substitute day.
Are there election holidays in 2027?
No nationwide election is scheduled in 2027.
Coming to Korea for the first time? See winter in Korea for foreign workers too.