Korea Public Holidays 2026 and Substitute Holidays
Korea's 2026 Seollal (Lunar New Year) holiday runs from February 16 to 18 and the Chuseok holiday from September 24 to 26. The public holidays left in 2026 from October on are October 5 (substitute holiday), October 9 (Hangeul Day) and December 25 (Christmas Day). The public holiday rules changed on April 30, 2026, making Labor Day (May 1) a public holiday too, so it is included in the table below.
When are Korea's public holidays in 2026?
The table below is the government's 2026 public holiday list plus Labor Day, which newly became a public holiday.
| Date | Public holiday |
|---|---|
| January 1 (Thu) | New Year's Day (January 1) |
| February 16 to February 18 (Mon to Wed) | Seollal holiday (Seollal is Tuesday, February 17) |
| March 1 (Sun) | Independence Movement Day (March 1) |
| March 2 (Mon) | Substitute holiday (Independence Movement Day) |
| May 1 (Fri) | Labor Day |
| May 5 (Tue) | Children's Day |
| May 24 (Sun) | Buddha's Birthday |
| May 25 (Mon) | Substitute holiday (Buddha's Birthday) |
| June 3 (Wed) | Nationwide local elections |
| June 6 (Sat) | Memorial Day |
| August 15 (Sat) | Liberation Day |
| August 17 (Mon) | Substitute holiday (Liberation Day) |
| September 24 to September 26 (Thu to Sat) | Chuseok holiday (Chuseok is Friday, September 25) |
| October 3 (Sat) | National Foundation Day |
| October 5 (Mon) | Substitute holiday (National Foundation Day) |
| October 9 (Fri) | Hangeul Day |
| December 25 (Fri) | Christmas Day |
Some public holidays apply only in certain regions: April 3, Jeju April 3 Victims Memorial Day (Jeju); May 11, Donghak Peasant Revolution Memorial Day (Jeongeup); and May 18, “5·18” (Gwangju).
How are substitute holidays determined?
So the substitute holidays for Independence Movement Day (March 1) and Buddha's Birthday, which fell on a Sunday, and for Liberation Day and National Foundation Day, which fell on a Saturday, are March 2, May 25, August 17 and October 5.
Are Labor Day and Constitution Day public holidays in 2026?
The public holiday rules changed on April 30, 2026, and Labor Day (May 1) became a public holiday. The government's 2026 holiday list says Constitution Day (Friday, July 17) is “not a public holiday,” but that list came out before the rules changed. The new rules do not leave Constitution Day out, so check government notices to see whether it is a day off.
Where can I see the government's 2026 holiday announcement?
The government's 2026 holiday announcement is in a Korea Policy Briefing press release and a Korea AeroSpace Administration (우주항공청) notice, and the holiday table is in the attached file.
What happens to government offices and civil services on public holidays?
This table is based on government office holidays. In-person immigration and foreigner-related services and center opening hours differ according to each institution's notices, so check the institution's information before visiting. Document procedures are in the document guide, and notices closing soon are in closing soon.
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Frequently asked questions
When is Seollal in 2026?
The Seollal holiday runs from February 16 (Mon) to February 18 (Wed), and Seollal is February 17 (Tue).
When is Chuseok in 2026?
The Chuseok holiday runs from September 24 (Thu) to September 26 (Sat), and Chuseok is September 25 (Fri).
If National Foundation Day falls on a Saturday, is there a day off?
National Foundation Day 2026 (October 3) falls on a Saturday, so a substitute holiday applies and October 5 (Mon) is a public holiday.
Which Korea public holidays remain in 2026?
From October on, October 5 (substitute holiday), October 9 (Hangeul Day) and December 25 (Christmas Day) remain.
Is Labor Day a public holiday?
Yes. The public holiday rules changed on April 30, 2026, and Labor Day (May 1) became a public holiday.
Is Constitution Day a public holiday in 2026?
The government's 2026 holiday list says it is not, but that list came out before the rules changed. The new rules do not leave Constitution Day out, so check government notices to see whether it is a day off.
How are substitute holidays determined?
If a public holiday falls on a Saturday, Sunday or similar, the first following day that is not a holiday becomes a substitute holiday.
Related pages
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