South Korea’s holidays for 2026: 118 days off await

The number of public holidays will be 70, while the rest includes weekends.

According to the Korean Aerospace Administration’s calendar guideline released on 30 June 2025, South Koreans on a five-day workweek will enjoy a total of 118 days off in 2026, including weekends and holidays.

The year will feature 52 Sundays and 20 public holidays, which consist of national holidays and substitute public holidays, totaling 72 days off.

However, since Independence Movement Day (1 March) and Buddha's Birthday (24 May) both fall on Sundays, the actual number of public holidays for 2026 will be 70.

Combined with 52 Saturdays, while noting that four public holidays also fall on Saturdays, South Korean employees will effectively have a total of 118 days off in 2026.

Overall, there will be eight long weekends throughout the year.

South Korea’s 2026 public holidays

1 January 2026 (Thursday) – New Year's Day
14-18 February 2026 (Saturday to Wednesday) – Seollal (Lunar New Year) (five days)
28 February to 2 March 2026  (Saturday to Monday) – Independence Movement Day and substitute holiday (three days)
5 May 2026 (Tuesday) – Children's Day
23-25 May 2026  (Saturday to Monday) – Buddha's Birthday and substitute holiday (three days)
6 June 2026 (Saturday) – Memorial Day
15-17 August 2026  (Saturday to Monday) – Liberation Day and substitute holiday (three days)
24-27 September 2026  (Thursday to Sunday) – Chuseok (Mid-Autumn Festival) (four days)
3-5 October 2026  (Saturday to Monday) – National Foundation Day and substitute holiday (three days)
9-11 October 2026  (Friday to Sunday) – Hangeul Day (three days)
25-27 December 2026 (Friday to Sunday) – Christ's Birthday (three days)