Sandtime.io editorial team ·
Public Holidays in South Korea 2026
The stated calendar for South Korea lists 18 holidays in 2026, with 16 falling on weekdays.
Every date, and the day it falls on
The 2026 employee planning reference includes Seollal, Chuseok, the local election and Constitution Day, restored as a public holiday in 2026. Observed weekdays replace the corresponding weekend dates once. Workers’ Day applies to covered employees, not every public institution. Government-service and small-workplace rules differ; confirm the applicable employment calendar.
Official calendar or legal basis · Official calendar or legal basis · Official calendar or legal basis ·See the 2027 working hours preview
| Date | Day | Holiday | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Jan 1 | Thursday | New Year’s Day | |
| Mon, Feb 16 | Monday | Seollal - day 1 | |
| Tue, Feb 17 | Tuesday | Seollal - day 2 | |
| Wed, Feb 18 | Wednesday | Seollal - day 3 | |
| Mon, Mar 2 | Monday | Independence Movement Day (observed) | |
| Fri, May 1 | Friday | Labour Day | |
| Tue, May 5 | Tuesday | Children’s Day | |
| Mon, May 25 | Monday | Buddha’s Birthday (observed) | |
| Wed, Jun 3 | Wednesday | Local Election Day | |
| Sat, Jun 6 | Saturday | Memorial Day | Weekend |
| Fri, Jul 17 | Friday | Constitution Day | |
| Mon, Aug 17 | Monday | Liberation Day (observed) | |
| Thu, Sep 24 | Thursday | Chuseok - day 1 | |
| Fri, Sep 25 | Friday | Chuseok - day 2 | |
| Sat, Sep 26 | Saturday | Chuseok - day 3 | Weekend |
| Mon, Oct 5 | Monday | National Foundation Day (observed) | |
| Fri, Oct 9 | Friday | Hangeul Day | |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
How do these holidays affect a working calendar?
The 2026 dates shown here include 16 Monday-to-Friday holidays, 2 Saturday dates and 0 Sunday dates. A Monday-to-Friday calendar subtracts the included weekday dates once. Whether weekend holidays create a substitute day or reduce statutory hours depends on the country, region, employer and working schedule.
A listed national or federal holiday is not automatically a paid day off for every private employer. Check the scope statement above: it identifies the calendar being used and the local exceptions. Observed dates already included in the list must not be added a second time. Employer-specific substitutions and regional holidays need an additional check.
What should be checked before the schedule is finalized?
- Confirm the workplace’s country and region, plus any sector-specific holiday rules.
- Choose the actual working weekdays and check official substitute dates.
- Place approved leave and company closures in the schedule separately from public holidays.
- Keep the schedule and the record of hours actually worked as separate documents.
See the monthly working-hour totals · See which months have the most capacity · Download a free work schedule · Local questions and examples
What changes when planning holidays for 2027?
Use the 2027 monthly table to plan next year. Movable holidays and observed dates can fall on different weekdays than in 2026.
For more information about working hours and annual leave in South Korea, see the full working hours guide. For statutory limits, overtime, and record-keeping duties, see the working time rules.
Turn working days into tracked hours
Sandtime.io is free for unlimited users. Log hours against projects, approve timesheets, and export reports for invoicing.