Korean Holidays

Teachers with ESL jobs in Korea may receive between 10 to 14 days of vacation outside of weekends and observed national holidays. There are eleven holidays that are observed nationally. Teachers with ESL jobs in Korea are not expected to work on national holidays. During these days, some restaurants, big shops and tourist sites stay open, but many other places may close. Around the Lunar New Year and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), even more businesses close to allow family members to return to their hometowns to celebrate and take part in the associated traditional ceremonies.

Below is a list of observed national holidays

• New Year's Day - January 1
• Lunar New Year - January 26, 2009; January 14, 2010; February 3, 2011
• Independence Day - March 1
• Children's Day - May 5
• Buddha's Birthday - May 2, 2009; May 21, 2010; May 10, 2011
• Teacher's Day - May 15
• Memorial Day - June 6
• Liberation Day - August 15
• Korean Thanksgiving - October 30, 2009; September 22, 2010
• National Foundation Day - October 3
• Christmas Day - December 25