Korean Public Holidays Public Holiday Regulation · Apr 2026
Official Korean public holidays — fixed solar dates plus lunar festivals (Seollal, Chuseok, Buddha's Birthday) with substitute days.
※ 2024-2030, 7 years hardcoded. Government may declare temporary holidays (e.g., extra Chuseok bridges, election days) which aren't pre-listed here. Sources: KASI lunar conversion + Korean Public Holiday Regulation.
📌 Official Sources · References
- Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) — Lunar-Solar Calendar Conversion · Official source for lunar festival (Seollal, Chuseok, Buddha's Birthday) solar date conversion
- Korea National Law Information Center — Public Holiday Regulation (관공서의 공휴일에 관한 규정) · Legal basis for Korean public holidays + substitute holiday rules
- Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) · Official source for ad-hoc holiday declarations (2023 Chuseok bridge, 2024 election day, etc.)
- Korea.net · English-language official channel for Korean cultural events, public holidays, and government announcements
This calendar covers 2024-2030 Korean public holidays under the Public Holiday Regulation, including lunar festivals converted to solar dates + substitute holiday rules. Government may declare additional ad-hoc holidays — check Korea.net or MOIS announcements before booking flights or scheduling visa appointments.
FAQ
What's a substitute holiday?
When a public holiday falls on a Sunday (or Saturday for Children's Day), the next non-holiday weekday becomes a paid public holiday too. Lunar New Year (Seollal), Chuseok, Children's Day, Independence Movement Day, Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, Hangeul Day, Buddha's Birthday, and Christmas all qualify. Note: New Year's Day (Jan 1) and Memorial Day (June 6) do NOT get substitute days.
Why do Lunar New Year and Chuseok dates change every year?
These follow the lunar calendar — Seollal is lunar Jan 1, Chuseok is lunar Aug 15, Buddha's Birthday is lunar Apr 8. The solar dates shift between late Jan / early Feb (Seollal), late Sep / early Oct (Chuseok), and late Apr / mid May (Buddha's Birthday).
Are these holidays observed by all businesses?
Government offices, banks, schools, and most large companies observe all public holidays as paid days off. Retail / hospitality / restaurants typically stay open. Lunar New Year and Chuseok are the most universally observed — even most retail closes for at least one day during these. Plan accordingly if visiting Korea during those weeks.
Can I get visa services on holidays?
No. HiKorea immigration offices, NTS hometax, government21 — all closed on public holidays including substitute days. Check the calendar before scheduling appointments. Online services on hikorea.go.kr remain available 24/7 but processing pauses.
What about temporary holidays?
Korean government can declare ad-hoc temporary holidays (e.g., extra day around Chuseok 2023). These can't be predicted in advance, so check news before traveling. Recent additions: Oct 2 2023 (Chuseok bridge), Apr 10 2024 (election day), Oct 1 2024 (Armed Forces Day).