The South Korean government has officially designated January 27, the day before the Lunar New Year holiday, as a temporary public holiday. The decision, made in collaboration with the conservative People Power Party (PPP), aims to stimulate domestic spending and boost tourism during the holiday season.
The new holiday will allow for a six-day extended break, from the weekend of January 25-26 through the Lunar New Year period, which spans January 28-30. The extended time off is expected to provide citizens with ample opportunity to relax and improve their overall quality of life.
PPP Representative Kim Sang-hoon, the party’s top policymaker, commented, “We anticipate that this longer break will contribute to the well-being of the public, offering more chances for rest and relaxation.” He also noted that the extended holiday could alleviate traffic congestion, a common challenge during the holiday season. Kim emphasized that efforts will be made to ensure that all citizens benefit from the temporary holiday.
Lunar New Year, known as Seollal, is one of South Korea’s two major holidays, alongside Chuseok in the autumn. During this time, many Koreans return to their hometowns to participate in ancestral rites and spend time with family members.
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