This Year, Take Monday Off After Gwangbokjeol, Gaecheonjeol, and Hangul Day

Ministry of Personnel Management "Amendment to Regulations on Public Holidays for Government Offices Passed at Cabinet Meeting"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] This year, the Monday following Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, and Hangul Day, which fall on weekends, will be subject to the 'substitute holiday' regulation.

The Ministry of Personnel Management announced on the 3rd that the amendment to the "Regulations on Public Holidays of Government Offices" (Presidential Decree), which includes this provision, has passed the Cabinet meeting. Until now, substitute holidays were only applied to Lunar New Year, Chuseok holidays, and Children's Day. However, going forward, the application will be expanded to four national holidays: March 1st Movement Day, Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, and Hangul Day.

An official from the Ministry of Personnel Management explained, "(The expansion of substitute holidays) will take effect immediately once published in the official gazette, possibly as early as the 4th, after presidential approval," adding, "Substitute holidays will newly apply to the three days of Liberation Day, National Foundation Day, and Hangul Day that fall on Saturdays or Sundays this year."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, on the 16th of last month, the Ministry of Personnel Management had announced the amendment, centered on expanding substitute holidays, for public comment. Paid holidays under the Labor Standards Act apply to the private sector as well, following the regulations on public holidays of government offices.

Meanwhile, the expansion of substitute holidays applies only to "national holidays that are public holidays." January 1st (New Year's Day), Buddha's Birthday, and Christmas, which are not national holidays, are excluded from the substitute holiday application.

The government made this decision after gathering opinions from related ministries and organizations. It was a comprehensive consideration of guaranteeing citizens' right to rest while taking into account the burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises and the potential impact on the economy.