Will There Be a 3-Day Holiday for Gwangbokjeol? Prime Minister Jeong Considers August 17 as a Temporary Holiday (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Dongwoo Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun instructed relevant ministries on the 19th to consider designating August 17th as a temporary holiday.

Prime Minister Chung made this announcement during a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that day. He said, "This is to provide some rest time for the mentally and physically exhausted citizens and medical staff, and to continue the momentum of domestic demand recovery."

He added, "The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has made the economy difficult, and many citizens and medical staff are expressing fatigue. Especially this year, many statutory holidays fall on weekends, resulting in fewer total holidays than usual."

If August 17th is designated as a temporary holiday, it will create a three-day holiday following Saturday's Liberation Day (August 15th) and Sunday.

Prime Minister Chung said, "We will also discuss measures to adjust strengthened quarantine measures in the metropolitan area today," adding, "We plan to resume the operation of convenience facilities such as public libraries and art galleries frequently visited by residents."

However, he emphasized, "We will strictly enforce quarantine rules such as limiting the number of visitors, wearing masks, and introducing electronic entry logs," and requested, "Please actively cooperate so that the reopening of public facilities can be expanded to other sectors."

Earlier, on May 29th, when infections were spreading in the metropolitan area, the government strengthened quarantine measures by suspending the operation of public facilities and urging restraint in operating high-risk facilities such as entertainment bars.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.