The Chuseok holiday has just concluded, and the Hangeul Day holiday is approaching. After Hangeul Day, the only remaining public holiday this year is Christmas.
So, how many days off can we expect next year? In short, for employees working a five-day week, there will be a total of 119 holidays in 2027, which is one day less than this year. However, there will be ten occasions with three or more consecutive days off.
According to the Korea Aerospace Administration's recent announcement of the '2027 Calendar Guidelines,' there will be a total of 72 public holidays for government offices next year.
With 52 Sundays and an additional 24 public holidays, including national holidays, Seollal (Lunar New Year), substitute holidays, and Labor Day, the total comes to 76 days. However, since four of these holidays—Seollal, Memorial Day, Liberation Day, and National Foundation Day—fall on Sundays, the actual number of public holidays is 72.
For five-day workweek institutions, 52 Saturdays are added to this total. However, five public holidays—Seollal, Labor Day, Constitution Day, Hangeul Day, and Christmas—coincide with Saturdays, resulting in a total of 119 actual holidays.
▲ Despite More Public Holidays, Fewer Days Off Than This Year
Initially, the 2026 Calendar Guidelines indicated that five-day workweek institutions would have 118 holidays. After Labor Day and Constitution Day were added as public holidays, the actual number of holidays this year increased to 120.
Next year, however, there will be one day less at 119 holidays. The reduction in the number of holidays, despite an increase in public holidays, is influenced by the arrangement of days of the week.
Notably, Labor Day and Constitution Day fall on Saturdays in 2027. However, substitute holidays will allow for days off on Monday, May 3, and Monday, July 19, respectively.
While the total number of holidays is decreasing, there are still ample opportunities for extended breaks. For five-day workweek institutions, there will be ten occasions with three or more consecutive days off.
The new year will start with a three-day break. January 1 falls on a Friday, leading to a holiday stretch through Sunday.
During Seollal, there will be a four-day break. The Seollal holiday begins on Saturday, February 6, and since Seollal itself falls on Sunday, a substitute holiday on Tuesday, February 9, will create a four-day holiday from February 6 to 9. Following this, there will be a three-day holiday from Saturday, February 27, to Monday, March 1.
In May, the substitute holiday for Labor Day will allow for a three-day break from May 1 to 3, and in July, a three-day holiday will occur from July 17 to 19, including Constitution Day and its substitute holiday.
Liberation Day also coincides with a Sunday. Consequently, a substitute holiday on Monday, August 16, will create a three-day break from August 14 to 16.
▲ Using Two Vacation Days Can Extend Chuseok to Nine Days
The most efficient time to use vacation days next year will be during Chuseok. The Chuseok holiday will run from Tuesday, September 14, to Thursday, September 16, which is three days based on the legal holidays alone.
By taking a vacation day on Monday, September 13, and another on Friday, September 17, employees can connect the weekends, resulting in a total of nine consecutive days off from Saturday, September 11, to Sunday, September 19.
October will also feature holidays. National Foundation Day on October 3 falls on a Sunday, leading to a substitute holiday on Monday, October 4, creating a three-day break from October 2 to 4.
Hangeul Day on October 9 falls on a Saturday, with a substitute holiday on Monday, October 11, allowing for another three-day break from October 9 to 11.
Christmas also coincides with a Saturday, and a substitute holiday on Monday, December 27, will create a three-day holiday from December 25 to 27.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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