Expectations for Chuseok · Temporary Holiday in 2026
Chuseok holidays overlap with the weekend. Should we get Monday the 28th off?
This year, the Chuseok holiday lasts four days, including the weekend. Many feel it is shorter than last year and are interested in whether we might get an extra day off on Monday following the holiday.
Why is the holiday only four days long?
Just because it overlaps with a weekend doesn't mean you get an extra day off
Many think a holiday overlapping with a weekend means an extra day off, but Chuseok is a little different. Under current rules, substitute holidays only apply in two situations:
So, is there a way to get the 28th off?
Only one option remains: The government must designate it as a temporary holiday
Since the automatic substitute holiday rules do not apply, the only remaining option is for the government to officially designate a temporary holiday. This requires four steps, from a request by relevant ministries to publication in the official gazette.
Red-Day Time Machine
There have been times when the entire nation got an unexpected day off
The first temporary holiday was designated in 1962. Since then, whenever there were significant national or international events, surprise red days appeared.
In 1969, did Korea get a day off to celebrate the Apollo 11 moon landing?
The answer is 'Yes'. On July 21, 1969 — the day of the moon landing — it was designated as a temporary holiday. The entire nation witnessed this global event together.
April 19, to commemorate the second anniversary of the April 19 Revolution
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This was the first ever temporary holiday since the establishment of the government. That same year, the anniversary of the May 16 event and the national referendum on constitutional amendment were also designated as temporary holidays.
July 21, recognizing the Apollo 11 lunar landing
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This was designated to commemorate the historic moment when U.S. astronauts set foot on the moon. By today's standards, it's one of the most unique and interesting cases.
September 17, the opening ceremony day
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The opening day of the Seoul Olympics was also a temporary holiday, designated so the public could celebrate this international event together.
July 1, when the nation celebrated reaching the semifinals
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After a successful tournament and Korea's advance to the semifinals, the day after the World Cup final was designated as a temporary holiday.
For example, in 2005, temporary holidays were declared only in specific regions — for the Jeju Province administrative reorganization referendum, the radwaste repository site vote, and the Busan APEC Summit.
In the Past 11 Years, 7 Occasions Where the Holidays Were Extended
There have been cases where a working weekday was made into a holiday to extend the break
※ Election days and region-specific temporary holidays are not included.
So, what about September 28?
The possibility remains, but there has been no movement yet
For the 28th to be a day off, the government must designate it as a temporary holiday. As of now, there has been no official announcement that the relevant procedures have begun.
Reader Poll · If you had one more day off?
If the 28th is made a holiday, what would you choose?
Would you go abroad, travel within Korea, or simply rest at home? Make your pick.
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Source: National Law Information Center, "Regulation on Public Holidays for Government Offices," Personnel Management Ministry/Republic of Korea Policy Briefing, Temporary Holiday Data, and National Assembly Research Service "Pros and Cons of Designating Temporary Holidays." The official government review or designation of September 28 as a temporary holiday is based on information available as of September 18, 2026, when this article was written.
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Reporter Seo Jiyeong zo2zo2zo2@asiae.co.kr
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Reporter Maeng Jiae mjiae@asiae.co.kr
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