Taking a Break on Armed Forces Day... Pongdangpongdang vs Golden Holiday, a Happy Dilemma

New 'Jinggeomdari' Holidays Appear in the First Week of October

During the holiday, Gimpo Airport's international terminal is bustling with travelers. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

The government has designated this year's Armed Forces Day (October 1) as a temporary public holiday, raising the possibility that October will become a "golden holiday" following the Chuseok holiday.

On the morning of the 3rd, the government held a Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office, chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and approved the agenda to designate October 1 as a temporary public holiday. The decision will be finalized once President Yoon Suk-yeol signs off on the agenda later that day. Previously, President Yoon had also approved the designation of October 2, the day after last year's Armed Forces Day, as a temporary public holiday shortly after the agenda passed.

As a result, there is a greater chance to enjoy a golden holiday next month following this month's Chuseok holiday. If October 1 is designated as a temporary public holiday, people will have two weekdays off along with National Foundation Day on October 3. Including the following weekend, this effectively creates a "bridge" holiday. If one takes annual leave on October 2 (Wednesday) or October 4 (Friday), it is possible to have a long holiday of three or more consecutive days. Additionally, the following week on October 9 is Hangul Day, another holiday.

This year, the Chuseok holiday includes a total of three days, including the temporary public holiday on the 16th. If annual leave is taken on Thursday and Friday, October 19-20, it is possible to plan a long vacation lasting an entire week.

The ruling party had previously requested the government to designate this year's Armed Forces Day as a temporary public holiday during a high-level party-government meeting on the 25th of last month. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the founding of the armed forces, with commemorative events planned under the theme "Strong Armed Forces, Together with the People" (ceremony at Seoul Airport and parade from Sungnyemun to Gwanghwamun). The Ministry of National Defense holds events every year on Armed Forces Day to boost the morale of soldiers.

Meanwhile, Armed Forces Day was established as a national commemorative day in 1956. From 1976 to 1990, it was designated as a legal public holiday, but it was excluded from the list starting the following year. This year marks the first time in 34 years that Armed Forces Day has been designated as a temporary public holiday.

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