On July 17, Constitution Day will be observed as a public holiday for the first time in 18 years, raising questions about the operations of banks, hospitals, delivery services, and the stock market.
This year's Constitution Day falls on a Friday, creating a three-day holiday that extends through Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19. The holiday was removed from the public holiday list in 2008 but has been reinstated for this year. There will be no substitute holiday since it does not coincide with other public holidays or weekends.
▲ Bank branches closed; ATMs and mobile banking available
On Constitution Day, bank branches will be closed. However, online banking, mobile banking, and ATMs will generally remain available as usual. Note that ATMs may charge fees during non-business hours on holidays, and some transactions may be limited during financial institutions' maintenance periods.
According to the financial authorities' guidelines for public holidays, if a loan's due date falls on July 17, it can be repaid without late fees on the next business day, July 20. Deposit maturities are typically extended to July 20, with interest paid according to the agreed rate for the extended period.
If automatic payments for credit card bills, insurance premiums, or utility bills coincide with Constitution Day, the withdrawal date will usually be postponed to the next business day. However, processing methods may vary by financial institution, so it is advisable to check with the respective bank. For large transfers, such as real estate payments, it may be necessary to increase transfer limits or move funds in advance.
▲ Domestic stock market closed for the day
The domestic stock market, operated by the Korea Exchange, will be closed on July 17.
Trading will be halted not only on the KOSPI and KOSDAQ markets but also for exchange-traded funds (ETFs), exchange-traded notes (ETNs), equity-linked warrants (ELWs), the bond market, and the repurchase agreement market.
The derivatives market, as well as general commodity markets for oil, gold, and emissions trading, will also be closed. Night trading for derivatives, which starts at 6 p.m. on July 17, will not take place. However, night trading that begins at 6 p.m. on July 16 and continues into the early hours of July 17 will proceed as scheduled.
International stock markets, including those in the United States, will operate according to their own holiday schedules, independent of South Korea's Constitution Day. Investors should check with their brokerage firms for the availability of overseas stock trading and currency exchange services.
▲ Hospitals not fully closed; emergency rooms open 24/7
Hospitals and clinics will not all close on Constitution Day. Each medical facility will determine its own outpatient services and hours. While many will reduce hours or close, some hospitals and clinics may operate normally or on a limited schedule.
Emergency rooms at emergency medical institutions will maintain a 24-hour service on holidays. If sudden symptoms arise but do not warrant an emergency room visit, individuals can check for open hospitals and pharmacies through the emergency medical portal E-Gen, the Health and Welfare Counseling Center at 129, or by calling 119 or 120 without a local area code. It is advisable to confirm operating hours by phone before visiting, as actual hours may vary.
▲ Delivery services vary by company and region
Not all delivery services will cease operations on Constitution Day. Major delivery companies have implemented a 'seven-day delivery' service, allowing for deliveries on holidays depending on the company and region.
CJ Logistics has been offering seven-day delivery since January 2025, excluding holidays such as Lunar New Year, Chuseok, and designated no-delivery days. However, some rural areas may not be included in this service.
Lotte Global Logistics has also been providing a seven-day service since January 2026, focusing on urban areas for collection and delivery on Sundays and public holidays. Rural areas and Jeju Island are excluded, and the service does not operate on the days of Lunar New Year and Chuseok.
Hanjin Delivery will also conduct delivery operations on Constitution Day. Post office branches will be closed on holidays, and public holiday periods are excluded when calculating delivery times for postal packages.
Delivery times may vary even within the same delivery company, depending on the seller's shipping time, regional terminal conditions, and the delivery destination. For those needing deliveries around Constitution Day, it is advisable to check the delivery status through the courier's application or tracking service.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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