South Korea: 2027 offers extended holidays, some up to nine days

South Koreans can look forward to 10 extended holiday periods in 2027, with opportunities to create breaks of up to nine consecutive days by strategically using annual leave. The National Astronomical Research Institute of Korea announced the "2027 Lunar Calendar Details" on the 29th, highlighting potential long weekends for workers.

The Lunar New Year holiday is set for February 6-9 (Saturday to Tuesday). By taking three days of annual leave from February 10-12 (Wednesday to Friday), individuals can enjoy a maximum nine-day continuous vacation, including the weekend of February 13-14.

Another opportunity for an extended break arises around the March 1st Independence Movement Day. Following the three-day holiday from February 27 to March 1 (Saturday to Monday), taking just one day of annual leave on March 2 (Tuesday) would lead to a six-day rest period, as March 3rd is a presidential election holiday. In May, a single day of annual leave on May 4th (Tuesday) can be combined with Labor Day, a weekend, a substitute holiday, and Children's Day to create a six-day holiday.

Later in the year, the Chuseok holiday runs from September 14-16 (Tuesday to Thursday). Taking annual leave on either September 13th (Monday) or September 17th (Friday) would grant a five-day or four-day holiday, respectively. Using annual leave on both of those days would extend the break to nine days. Other three-day weekends include Liberation Day (August 14-16), National Foundation Day (October 2-4), Hangeul Day (October 9-11), and Christmas (December 25-27).

Overall, 2027 features 72 public holidays, resulting in 119 days off for those on a standard five-day work week. However, the actual number of days off is reduced by one compared to the previous year, as Lunar New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Liberation Day, and National Foundation Day all fall on Sundays.