In 2025, South Korea recognizes 15 public holidays that grant employees a fully paid day off. These include both religious and national occasions, amounting to approximately 19 days off throughout the year. For employees on a five-day workweek, this typically translates into 17 paid days off.
Please refer to the table below for the public holidays in Korea for 2025:
| South Korea Public Holidays for 2025 | ||
| Holiday | Day | Date |
| New Year Day | Wed | January 1 |
| Temporary Public Holiday | Mon | January 27 |
| Seollal (Korean New Year) | Tue, Wed, Thu | January 28 - 30 |
| Independence Movement Day | Mon | March 3 |
| Labour Day | Thu | May 1 |
| Children's Day + Buddha's Birthday | Mon | May 5 |
| Temporary Public Holiday for Children's Day | Tue | May 6 |
| Memorial Day | Fri | June 6 |
| Liberation Day | Fri | August 15 |
| National Foundation Day | Fri | October 3 |
| Chuseok (Korean harvest/Thanksgiving holiday) | Sun, Mon, Tue | October 5 - 7 |
| Temporary Public Holiday for Chuseok | Wed | October 8 |
| Hangul Day | Thu | October 9 |
| Christmas Day | Thu | December 25 |
This year, the substitute holiday system is in effect. Under this system, when a public holiday falls on a weekend, the following weekday becomes a day off. In 2025, this applies to three holidays:
- Independence Movement Day (March 1): Falls on a Saturday, so the substitute holiday will be observed on Monday, March 3.
- Children’s Day (May 5): Coincides with Buddha’s Birthday, so the substitute holiday will be observed on Tuesday, May 6.
- Chuseok (October 5–7): Begins on Sunday, October 5, so the additional substitute holiday will be observed on Wednesday, October 8.
Furthermore, the government has designated January 27 as a temporary holiday to stimulate private consumption and promote domestic tourism in advance of the Lunar New Year
Please note that the above list of public holidays in Korea may be changed according to Korean government decision.
Affected services: Payroll Service in Korea, Employer of Record in Korea
