Gov't Mulls 10-Day Holiday in Early October

The government is considering designating Oct. 2 as a temporary holiday so that the long Chuseok break gives many people a whole 10 days off. The holiday would start on Saturday, Sept. 30 and last until Monday, Oct. 9, which is Hangul Day.

The long break was one of President Moon Jae-in's more popular campaign promises. "We're discussing it with the relevant ministries," said presidential adviser Kim Jin-pyo. "Koreans have the longest working hours in the world. This plan will protect their right to rest. It'll also help boost consumption."

Private companies can use their own discretion because they cannot be forced to comply with a temporary holiday. "We can't force private firms to follow suit," Kim told a radio interviewer. "But many of them will if the public sector takes the day off."

Hangul Day became a public holiday again in 2013.