Substitute holidays in South Korea

Based on the Regulations on Holidays of Government Offices.

Holiday	Substitute holiday when…
Seollal and Chuseok (3 days each)	it falls on a Sunday only
Independence Movement Day, Constitution Day, Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, Hangeul Day	it falls on a Saturday or Sunday
Children's Day, Buddha's Birthday, Christmas Day, Labor Day	it falls on a Saturday or Sunday
New Year's Day, Memorial Day	never replaced

Which day becomes the substitute holiday?

The substitute holiday is the first non-holiday after the holiday it replaces, meaning the first day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or another public holiday. A holiday on a Saturday is usually followed by a substitute holiday on Monday.

Seollal and Chuseok: if any of the three days falls on a Sunday, the first non-holiday after the break is a day off. A Saturday overlap does not count.
National holidays (Independence Movement Day, Constitution Day, Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, Hangeul Day), Children's Day, Buddha's Birthday, Christmas Day and Labor Day are replaced when they fall on a Saturday or Sunday.
New Year's Day (January 1) and Memorial Day (June 6) have no substitute holiday.

Does this apply to private companies?

These rules cover government offices. Private employers in Korea set paid days off under the Labor Standards Act and their own work rules or collective agreements. Check with your employer.

Substitute holidays in 2026 and 2027

Mon, Mar 2, 2026 Substitute Holiday (Independence Movement Day)
Mon, May 25, 2026 Substitute Holiday (Buddha's Birthday)
Mon, Aug 17, 2026 Substitute Holiday (Liberation Day)
Mon, Oct 5, 2026 Substitute Holiday (National Foundation Day)
Tue, Feb 9, 2027 Substitute Holiday (Seollal)
Mon, May 3, 2027 Substitute Holiday (Labor Day)
Mon, Jul 19, 2027 Substitute Holiday (Constitution Day)
Mon, Aug 16, 2027 Substitute Holiday (Liberation Day)
Mon, Oct 4, 2027 Substitute Holiday (National Foundation Day)
Mon, Oct 11, 2027 Substitute Holiday (Hangeul Day)
Mon, Dec 27, 2027 Substitute Holiday (Christmas Day)

Last checked 2026-10-11 · 2027 election days and temporary holidays are not included

FAQ

If Seollal falls on a Saturday, is there a substitute holiday?

No. Seollal and Chuseok get a substitute holiday only when one of their three days falls on a Sunday. A Saturday overlap is not replaced.

Is there a substitute holiday when Memorial Day falls on a weekend?

No. New Year's Day and Memorial Day are never replaced, even when they fall on a weekend.

Do private companies give substitute holidays too?

These rules are for government offices. Private employers follow the Labor Standards Act and their own work rules or collective agreements, so check with your employer.