A Five-Day 'Golden Holiday' in May... 'Labor Day Public Holiday' Passes National Assembly Committee Subpanel

PA Committee Subcommittee Passes Amendment to Public Holidays Act Designating Labor Day as a Statutory Public Holiday

The second passenger terminal at Incheon International Airport is bustling with travelers.

It is expected that May 1, Labor Day, will become a statutory public holiday. On March 24, the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee's Legislative Review Subcommittee passed the amendment to the Act on Holidays, which designates Labor Day as a statutory public holiday.

Although Labor Day was legislated as a paid holiday in 1994, public officials, teachers, and specially employed workers such as delivery drivers, who are not classified as employees under the Labor Standards Act, have not been guaranteed a day off. In response, the Ministry of Employment and Labor reverted the name from "Day of Workers" to "Labor Day" last year, and has since been pushing to designate Labor Day as a public holiday.

A 'Golden Holiday' of Five Days by Taking Just One Day Off

If the amendment is approved by the full Public Administration and Security Committee, the National Assembly plenary session, and the Cabinet, all workers will be able to take a day off on Labor Day as early as this year. Especially, this year, Labor Day falls on Friday, May 1. If it is designated as a public holiday, by taking just one day off (Monday, the 4th), workers can enjoy a five-day golden holiday, including the weekend and Children's Day on Tuesday, the 5th.

"Working People Deserve to Be Properly Respected"

Yoon Kunyoung, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea and chairperson of the 1st Legislative Review Subcommittee, stated on Facebook, "We have taken a significant step so that, starting this year, all working people can properly rest on Labor Day," adding, "I will continue to work hard to ensure that working people are properly respected."

Jung Chunsaeng, a lawmaker from the Innovation Party for the Nation, also commented, "Now, Labor Day will not be for just a portion of the population, but will truly be a holiday for everyone," adding, "As the lawmaker who sponsored the bill, I am deeply moved. This reaffirms the effectiveness of a people-sovereign government."

Meanwhile, on this day, the 1st Legislative Review Subcommittee also reviewed bills such as the "Special Act on the Establishment of Busan Global Hub City," which aims to develop Busan into an international free city like Singapore or Shanghai.

At the same time, the 2nd Legislative Review Subcommittee of the Public Administration and Security Committee considered amendments to the Act on the Korean National Police Veterans Association, which include changing the name of the "Korean National Police Veterans Association" to the "Korean National Police Alumni Association."

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