Survey on Desired Substitute Holiday Designation for Next Year
57% Respondents Favor 'October 10' Between Holidays
If Designated, Ten-Day Holiday Possible from Gaecheonjeol to Chuseok and Hangeul Day
More than half of the population chose October 10 as the preferred date to be designated as a temporary holiday or substitute holiday next year, according to a survey. If this Friday holiday is confirmed, it would allow for a total of ten days off.
SK Communications (SK Comms) current affairs voting service 'NateQ' recently conducted a survey of 2,602 adult men and women asking, "Which substitute holiday would you like to be designated in 2025?" More than half of the respondents (57%, 149 people) answered "October 10, which allows for a 10-day holiday."
Next year's Chuseok holiday is from October 5 to 7. Since the 5th falls on a Sunday, the 8th is designated as a substitute holiday. Adding October 3 (National Foundation Day) and October 9 (Hangul Day), people can take a break from Friday the 3rd to Thursday the 9th. If October 10 is also a holiday, it would be possible to have a total of ten days off from the 3rd to the 12th.
The second most desired substitute holiday was December 26 (18%), which falls on a Friday, allowing for four consecutive days off starting from Christmas on the 25th. Other popular choices included January 31 (14%), which completes the six-day Lunar New Year holiday, and October 2 (4%), which allows for an eight-day holiday.
The results of the survey conducted by SK Communications (SK Comms) current affairs voting service 'NateQ' on 'Alternative Public Holiday Dates I Wish for in 2025.' [Photo by SK Communications]
Comments related to the survey included sentiments such as "Regardless of how many days off, I am grateful and happy that there are many golden holidays," "Long holidays are good because even though it gets busy after the holiday, I can rest well during the break," and "If possible, I hope substitute holidays follow traditional holidays like Seollal or Chuseok so I can visit my hometown and rest properly," expressing excitement for next year's golden holidays.
On the other hand, some opinions expressed less enthusiasm about the increasing holidays, such as "Even if substitute holidays are created, due to the nature of my job, it's hard to take consecutive days off," and "Occasional breaks are more valuable. If I rest every day, I become lazy, and going back to work the next day becomes harder."
Regarding the survey results, An Ji-seon, team leader of SK Comms Media Service, said, "The overwhelming preference for long holidays reflects a social trend favoring time away from daily life for travel or self-development during ample leisure time rather than short-term recharging. It is also important to note that the expansion of substitute holidays does not receive unconditional support, as some opinions mention that frequent holidays disrupt work rhythms."
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