South Korea considers potential temporary holiday for September 28

Public interest is growing regarding whether the South Korean government will designate Monday, September 28, as a temporary public holiday to extend the Chuseok holiday period. Currently, the Chuseok break lasts four days, from Thursday, September 24, to Sunday, September 27.

Under existing regulations, September 28 does not qualify for a substitute holiday because the Chuseok holidays do not overlap with a Sunday or another public holiday. For the Monday to become a day off, the government must officially designate it as a temporary holiday through a cabinet meeting resolution.

While some call for the extension, experts note potential drawbacks. There are concerns that longer holidays might increase overseas travel demand rather than boosting domestic consumption, as seen during previous long holiday periods. Additionally, businesses may face production disruptions and increased labor costs, while dual-income families could face childcare gaps if schedules change abruptly. As of now, the government has not officially announced any plans to designate the day as a holiday.