Here is a list of 2019’s Public holidays in South Korea which are often know as Red Days or simply Days Off work.
Here Are The Dates For Your 2019 Diary’s
Tuesday January 1st – New Years Day (신정)
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday February 4th to 6th – Korean Lunar New Year or Seollal (설날)
Friday March 1st – Independence Movement Day (3.1절)
Sunday May 5th – Children’s Day (어린이날) *Most calendars list Monday May 6th as a Replacement Holiday*
Sunday May 12th – Buddha’s Birthday (석가탄신일) *No Replacement Holiday yet*
Thursday June 6th – Memorial Day (현충일)
Thursday August 15th – Liberation Day (광복절)
Thursday, Friday & Saturday September 12th to 14th – Chuseok (추석) also known as Korean Thanksgiving or Harvest Festival
Thursday October 3rd – National Foundation Day (개천절)
Wednesday October 9th – Hangul Day (한글날)
Wednesday December 25th – Christmas Day (크리스마스)
Sadly if a public holiday falls on a weekend it is NOT carried over onto the next workday, although some public schools and generous employers do give them. Replacement Holiday Days are sometimes given, this year for example Monday 6th will be a Holiday as Children’s Day falls on a Sunday. However Buddha’s Birthday and the third day of Chuseok won’t be replaced.
Often people are asked to work during on a public holiday and then take a day off at another time, this is really uncommon but perfectly legal (although not nice). Public Holidays are a requirement for government and public buildings, however private businesses are not bound to follow or observe them.
Be warned that traveling the day before, on or the after day after a public holiday can be very busy and traffic jams fully booked buses, trains and even planes are common. Therefore book in advance to avoid disappointment.
One positive is that most shops, stores, restaurants, bars etc are generally open on public holidays in Korea and buses and subways operate on a similar schedule to a Sunday (although as already stated they can be very busy).
Other Key Days in 2019
Will be added here if/when needed.
Finally
If you have any questions about public holidays / National Holidays / Red Days here in South Korea please feel free to let us know, have a great year in South Korea.
Modern Seoul contact@modernseoul.org
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