As South Korea prepares for a three-day holiday in celebration of Liberation Day, there is growing interest in the operations of banks, the stock market, hospitals, and delivery services.
This year, Liberation Day falls on Saturday, August 15. According to the current regulations regarding public holidays, if Liberation Day coincides with a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is designated as a substitute holiday. Therefore, Monday, August 17, will be a legally mandated substitute holiday.
▲ Banks will operate normally on August 14 and be closed on August 17
Regular bank branches will be open on Friday, August 14, and will close on August 17 for the substitute holiday. Customers needing to complete transactions such as loans, foreign exchange, or various certificate issuances should do so by August 14. Some airport branches or flexible branches may operate on a different schedule, so it is advisable to check with the respective bank.
However, while bank branches will be closed, not all financial transactions will cease. Mobile and internet banking services, as well as ATM deposits and withdrawals, will generally remain available. Availability and operational hours may vary by bank and device.
▲ Korean stock market will also be closed on August 17
The domestic stock market will open normally on August 14 but will be closed on August 17. According to the Korea Exchange regulations, public holidays are designated as non-trading days, and the 2026 schedule of the Korea Exchange confirms that both Liberation Day on August 15 and the substitute holiday on August 17 are marked.
Trading and settlement of domestic stocks through the KOSPI, KOSDAQ, and alternative trading platform Nextrade will not occur on public holidays. Consequently, there will be no pre-market, regular market, or after-market trading on August 17. International stock markets will operate according to their own holiday schedules, independent of South Korea's substitute holiday.
▲ Hospitals will not uniformly close; emergency rooms will operate 24/7
Unlike banks and the stock market, hospitals will not uniformly cease operations. Local clinics and outpatient services may close or operate on reduced hours at the discretion of the medical facilities, and some hospitals and pharmacies will remain open during the holiday. Emergency rooms will maintain their emergency care systems throughout the holiday.
Patients can check which hospitals and pharmacies are open through the emergency medical portal E-Gen and the emergency medical information app. Information is also available through the Health and Welfare Counseling Center at 129 and the Emergency Situation Management Center at 119. It is advisable to call the medical facility beforehand, as operating hours may change or patient registration may close early.
▲ Delivery services vary by company during the holiday
While August 14 is not a legal holiday, major delivery companies observe a 'delivery break day' to allow their drivers to rest. With Liberation Day on August 15, followed by Sunday, August 16, and the substitute holiday on August 17, there is a high likelihood of delays in the collection and delivery of some regular packages.
However, not all delivery and shipping services will be completely halted from August 14 to 17. Participation in the delivery break day, the timing of collection halts, and the resumption of deliveries will vary by company and service type. Customers should refer to official announcements and tracking information from major delivery companies for specific schedules.
Especially for perishable goods or items that need to be received by a specific date, it is advisable to avoid placing orders just before the holiday or to inquire with the seller about actual shipping and delivery schedules.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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