With the end of the extended Chuseok and National Foundation Day holiday period, which lasted up to 10 days, office workers are increasingly turning their attention to the next opportunity for a long break. Many are already making plans to use their remaining annual leave to enjoy a relaxing vacation in the near future.

December calendar. If you take a day off and rest on Friday the 26th, you can have a total of four days off including the weekend. Naver Calendar

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The first period drawing attention is this coming December. Since Christmas falls on Thursday, December 25, taking a day off on Friday the 26th would allow for a total of four consecutive days off, including the weekend. As there are no official holidays in November, there is expected to be strong demand for making the most of this short year-end break.

Year-end Christmas and New Year's Day as 'Mini Vacation' Opportunities
Next year's Lunar New Year holiday lasts 5 days... With additional annual leave, up to 9 days
Frequent Overlaps with Holidays like Independence Movement Day and Buddha's Birthday
Strategy for Using Remaining Annual Leave During 'Holiday Gaps' is Key
Possible 10-Day Holiday Around Chuseok in 2044

There are also opportunities to use annual leave during the transition from the end of the year to the start of the next. By taking annual leave on Tuesday, December 31, and Thursday, January 2, you can enjoy a mini long vacation of up to five days, including the weekend. Since there are fewer clustered holidays next year compared to this year, experts suggest that a strategic approach to year-end vacations will be especially important.

Calendar for February next year. By taking two additional days off during the Lunar New Year holiday, it is possible to create a 9-day holiday. Naver Calendar

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The Lunar New Year holiday in 2026 will last a total of five days, including the weekend. However, by taking two additional days of annual leave, it is possible to create a nine-day holiday. Unlike this year, a long holiday cannot be achieved by taking just one extra day off.

In January next year, apart from New Year's Day (January 1), there are no public holidays, so opportunities for rest are limited. In March, Independence Movement Day falls on a Saturday, resulting in only one substitute holiday. Therefore, focusing annual leave around the February Lunar New Year holiday is considered a practical strategy.

May, known as Family Month, offers a relatively favorable calendar. Labor Day (May 1) falls on a Friday, and Children's Day (May 5) is on a Tuesday. By taking annual leave on Monday, May 4, it is possible to enjoy a holiday of up to five days. Buddha's Birthday (May 24) falls on a Saturday, but a substitute holiday will be observed on Sunday, May 25, allowing for a short yet meaningful three-day break.

Calendar for October 2044. If you take a day off on the 7th, you can have 10 days off.

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It will be a long wait before another ultra-long holiday of up to 10 days like this year. Around Chuseok in 2044, by taking just one day of annual leave, there is a possibility of recreating a golden holiday period of up to 10 days. Since it will take time for such an extended holiday to come again, making 'smart' use of annual leave will become more important than ever.