Possible 10-day October break in Korea fuels record travel rush, divides opinion on economic benefits
The possibility has already sent overseas travel bookings and airfares soaring, even as business groups and policymakers warn that such a move may drain money out of the local economy rather than boost it.
The government has not taken any official position on adding the extra day off. Still, travel demand has surged in anticipation.
In October, there is already a seven-day holiday from Oct. 3, starting with National Foundation Day, followed by the Chuseok holiday from Oct. 4 to 7, a substitute holiday on Oct. 8, and Hangeul Day on Oct 9.
If Oct. 10 is included, the weekend of Oct. 11–12 would extend the break to 10 days, making it South Korea's longest public holiday since 2017.
According to a local travel agency Kyowon Your Travel Easy, overseas bookings for Oct. 3–9 are up 28.7 percent compared with the Chuseok period in September last year. The agency said popular destinations include Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and other Southeast Asian countries.
Airlines are responding with large-scale capacity increases. Jeju Air plans 234 additional international flights, adding more than 42,000 seats, while Jin Air, T'way Air, Eastar Jet and Air Busan are also expanding routes, particularly to Japan and Southeast Asia.
Flight prices have climbed sharply. Skyscanner data show round-trip tickets from Seoul to Da Nang, Vietnam, which could once be found earlier in the year for around 200,000 won ($140), now range from 600,000 won to 1.2 million won ($430–$860). Direct flights to New York are selling for around 3 million won ($2,160).
Domestic tourism is also feeling the effect. Local media reports hotel bookings in Jeju and other major destinations are already over 90 percent for the holiday week.
Incheon International Airport Corp. said on Aug. 6 it expects international passenger numbers during the early October holiday period to surpass the current record of 2.14 million set during this year's Seollal New Year holiday.
Economic data from earlier this year is feeding doubts about the plan. During the Seollal New Year holiday in January 2025, when an extra day off created a six-day break, outbound travel rose to 2.97 million people, up 7.3 percent from 2024.
Statistics Korea's Nowcast data shows domestic credit card spending during the January break fell 34 percent compared with the previous week. The National Assembly Research Service reported in June that recent temporary public holidays have shown limited benefits for domestic demand while cutting production and exports.
There are also equity concerns. Businesses with fewer than five employees, which employ about 35 percent of South Korea's workforce, are not required by law to grant temporary public holidays. Schools could also face schedule disruptions, as many plan midterm exams shortly after Chuseok.
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Possible 10-day October break in Korea fuels record travel rush, divides opinion on economic benefits
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