South Korea has officially designated May 1st (Labor Day) as a “statutory public holiday,” meaning all citizens, including public officials, teachers, and special employment workers such as delivery drivers, will now receive a guaranteed day off.
The amendment to the Act on Public Holidays was passed by the National Assembly on March 31 and will take effect once it is finalized by the Cabinet.
Until now, Labor Day was only a paid holiday for workers covered under the Labor Standards Act, leaving many groups excluded. This reform closes that gap and expands the benefit nationwide.
Labor Day has been celebrated in Korea since 1923 and is rooted in the global May Day movement that began with the struggle for an eight-hour workday in 1886. With its elevation to official holiday status, Korea now has a total of 17 national public holidays.
This year’s calendar brings a bonus: Labor Day falls on a Friday, and Children’s Day (May 5) falls on the following Tuesday. By taking just one day of leave on May 4, you can enjoy a five day “golden holiday” to welcome the spring!
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