Taking an Extra Day Off on Buddha's Birthday Next Year... Choo Proposes Adding Christmas and Others as Substitute Holidays

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] The government has accepted the ruling party's demand to add Buddha's Birthday and Christmas to substitute holidays.

On the 21st, Choo Kyung-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, stated at the '2023 Economic Policy Direction Joint Briefing' held at the Seoul Government Complex, “In order to guarantee the right to rest for all citizens, we will add Buddha's Birthday and Christmas to the list of substitute holidays.” This remark was made while introducing the 'Support for Recovery of the People's Economy' among the four directions the government is pursuing to overcome the crisis and achieve economic re-leap.

A joint briefing on next year's economic policy direction, attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Choo Kyung-ho, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, and representatives from six ministries, was held on the 21st at the Government Seoul Office. Deputy Prime Minister Choo is answering questions. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

According to current law, Christmas and Buddha's Birthday are not designated as substitute holidays. Last July, the National Assembly passed the 'Holiday Act,' granting substitute holidays for all holidays that fall on weekends. Initially, this applied only to Lunar New Year, Chuseok holidays, and Children's Day, but from this year, it has been expanded to include national holidays such as Samiljeol (March 1st Movement Day), Gwangbokjeol (Liberation Day), Gaecheonjeol (National Foundation Day), and Hangeul Day.

The ruling party initiated this. On the previous day, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, “Considering domestic demand stimulation, expansion of citizens' right to rest, and requests from religious communities, it is time for the government to consider expanding the designation of substitute holidays.” To include Christmas and Buddha's Birthday as substitute holidays, the government must revise the enforcement decree.

Floor leader Joo also emphasized, “There are 15 holidays in a year, but the number varies slightly depending on whether holidays fall on Saturdays or Sundays. Next year, since all holidays coincide with weekends, the number of holidays will decrease by two compared to the average year, resulting in only 13 holidays.” He added, “Since the introduction of the substitute holiday system, we have seen clear effects in stimulating domestic demand in sectors such as distribution, travel, and dining, and it has been evaluated that citizens enjoy much more effective rest.”

However, it is unlikely that substitute holidays will be enjoyed starting from Christmas on Sunday, the 25th. This is because the government needs to hold a Cabinet meeting to deliberate and approve the revision of the enforcement decree. Considering that only four days remain until Christmas, time is tight. If the government completes the revision of the enforcement decree and implements it from 2023, the number of holidays next year will increase from 13 to 15.