What happens during the festival holidays
Traffic chaos: so many people travel to and from their hometowns that motorways jam badly and train and express-bus tickets sell out early. If you plan to travel over the holiday, book on the day sales open.
Shops close: local restaurants, markets, and some hospitals take a break. Large supermarkets may also close on the festival day itself. Do your shopping before the holiday.
Banks and government offices close: bank counters and public offices, including immigration offices, are closed over the holiday. Deal with visa matters early so they do not clash with the holiday.
Delivery delays: parcel volumes surge before and after the holiday, so deliveries are slower.
If you get sick during the holiday
Some hospitals and pharmacies stay open over the festivals. You can find "holiday clinics and pharmacies" on the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s emergency medical portal (e-gen.or.kr), and call 119 in an emergency.
Other major public holidays
They include New Year’s Day (1 January), Independence Movement Day (1 March), Children’s Day (5 May), Buddha’s Birthday (the 8th day of the 4th lunar month), Memorial Day (6 June), Liberation Day (15 August), National Foundation Day (3 October), Hangeul Day (9 October), and Christmas (25 December). Dates and substitute holidays change every year, so check the exact dates in the holiday calendar in K-lifeon’s Life Guide. When a public holiday falls on a weekend, an extra weekday off — a substitute holiday — may be added.
Enjoying festival culture
During the festivals people eat traditional foods such as tteokguk (rice-cake soup, Seollal) and songpyeon (half-moon rice cakes, Chuseok), and traditional events are held at palaces and folk villages. Some palaces open for free over the festivals, so check their notices. You can find holiday events in K-lifeon’s performance and tourism information.
If you are employed, check your employment contract and company rules about working on public holidays and holiday pay, and ask the Ministry of Employment and Labor on 1350 if you have questions.