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May 1 Workers' Day observance set to become official public holiday

Published: 24 Mar. 2026, 12:18 Updated: 24 Mar. 2026, 16:57

KIM JU-YEON
[email protected]

Pedestrians walk across a crosswalk at an intersection near Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno District, central Seoul, on Feb. 19. [NEWS1]

Korea is set to designate Workers' Day on May 1 as a public holiday after a parliamentary subcommittee passed a related bill on Tuesday.

The bill, which would grant all workers — including government employees and those at small businesses — the day off, still requires approval by the full committee and the National Assembly.

Under current law, Workers' Day is recognized as a paid holiday but is not designated as an official public holiday. In practice, most private companies must give the day off under the Labor Standards Act, while civil servants and employees at workplaces with fewer than five staff — who are not covered by that law — do not receive it.

The proposal, approved by a subcommittee of the National Assembly’s Public Administration and Security Committee, would amend the Public Holidays Act to grant Workers' Day official status.

The bill was introduced by lawmakers from the liberal bloc, including members of the ruling Democratic Party, the minor Rebuilding Korea Party and the Progressive Party.

Last month, the National Assembly passed a separate revision to the same law to redesignate Constitution Day on July 17 as a public holiday.

BY KIM JU-YEON [[email protected]]