Expanded substitute public holidays in Korea

Expanded substitute public holidays in Korea

The Ministry of Personnel Management (“인사혁신처” in Korean) announced on July 15, 2021 that the government will expand application of substitute public holiday additionally to 4 more public holidays including March 1 Independence Movement Day, August 15 National Liberation Day, October 3 National Foundation Day and October 9 Hangeul Proclamation Day. Buddha's Birthday and Christmas Day were excluded from the application of substitute public holidays this time.

With this expanded application of substitute public holidays, in the event where these 4 holidays fall on weekends, the following Monday will be given as a substitute public holiday starting from this year. In 2021, August 15 National Liberation Day, October 3 National Foundation Day and October 9 Hangeul Proclamation Day actually fall on weekends and hence the following Mondays will be off-days.

Previously, the substitute public holidays were applied only to 7 public holidays including the Lunar New Year’s Day, Chuseok Thanksgiving Day and Children's Day.