As South Korea approaches a potential golden holiday period in early May, discussions surrounding the designation of May 2, 2025, as a temporary public holiday have surged. With Labor Day on May 1, a weekend following it, and Children's Day and Buddha's Birthday celebrated on May 5, the possibility of a six-day break from May 1 to May 6 has many workers eagerly anticipating an extended respite.
Online communities, particularly the anonymous platform Blind, have been buzzing with inquiries about whether May 2 will officially be declared a holiday. This topic has also gained traction on social media, with the hashtag "temporary holiday" trending on X (formerly Twitter), where over 4,000 posts have been made discussing the potential holiday.
Currently, May 1, 2025, falls on a Thursday, making May 2, a Friday, the perfect candidate for a temporary holiday. If designated, it would lead to a long weekend that includes the Saturday and Sunday, followed by Children's Day (May 5) and a substitute holiday on May 6. This combination could create a much-desired six-day break for many workers, a prospect that has fueled excitement among employees.
Despite the public's enthusiasm, the government has yet to make an official announcement regarding the temporary holiday. Analysts suggest that the government might be hesitant to designate another holiday so soon after already scheduling a temporary holiday for the early presidential election on June 3, 2025. This situation creates a sense of burden around the idea of adding another holiday to the calendar.
Earlier in January 2025, the government declared January 27 as a temporary holiday just two weeks before the Lunar New Year, which has led some to speculate that a similar decision might be made for May 2. However, there are concerns among some netizens who argue that excessive holidays could disrupt work schedules. Comments on Blind reflect this sentiment: "Isn’t this too much time off?" and "Let’s focus on properly observing Labor Day instead."
Small business owners also voice their apprehensions regarding the potential holiday. They argue that an extended break could negatively impact their operations, as longer holidays typically lead to reduced business activity. This concern follows a trend observed during the Lunar New Year, where a temporary holiday aimed at boosting domestic consumption resulted in a significant increase in overseas travel. This year, bookings for overseas travel surged by 29% compared to the previous year, with popular destinations including Southeast Asia, China, and Japan.
HanaTour reported on April 16, 2025, that reservations for overseas travel during the May holiday period (April 30 to May 6) have seen a remarkable increase. Southeast Asia accounted for 37% of bookings, while China and Japan followed closely with 25% and 23%, respectively. Notably, reservations for travel to China and Japan increased by 73% and 81%, respectively, compared to last year, indicating a strong preference for international travel over domestic options.
As the discussions continue, the government has previously denied rumors about May 2 being designated as a temporary holiday. An official stated, "The decision to declare a temporary holiday needs to be made at least two weeks in advance. If no decision is made this week, it will likely be impossible to designate May 2 as a temporary holiday." This statement has left many wondering whether the anticipated holiday will materialize.
Temporary holidays are designated under Presidential Decree No. 24828, which allows the government to declare public holidays as needed. The process involves consultations with various ministries, and the Ministry of Personnel Management submits the proposal to the State Council for deliberation and final decision. Given the tight timeline and the complexities involved, it seems increasingly unlikely that May 2 will be officially designated as a holiday.
In the face of these uncertainties, workers remain hopeful while also expressing a mix of opinions on the potential holiday. While many are excited about the chance for a longer break, others are concerned about the implications for their work and the economy. As the debate heats up, the question remains: will May 2, 2025, become a temporary holiday, or will it simply be another day of work?
