The School Year in South Korea

Most schools operate year-round, but their peak hiring months tend to be February and March. Universities make most of their final hiring decisions in early August and spend a few months prior gathering resumes and doing interviews.

The dates listed here are the major holidays. Expect to be given time off on these days. Be sure to make plans in advance if you plan to travel on summer vacation.

• Late August: School begins
• September 29 – October 1: Ch’usok (also called “Korean Thanksgiving Day”)*
• October 3: National Foundation Day
• Mid-December – end of January: Winter vacation (for middle and high school)
• December 25: Christmas
• January 1 – 2: New Year’s Day
• January 22 – 24: Lunar New Year*
• One week in late February: Spring vacation (for middle and high school)
• March 1: Independence Movement Day
• April 5: Arbor Day
• May 5: Children’s Day
• May 8: Fathers and Mothers’ Day
• May 28: Buddha’s Birthday (also called “Feast of the Lanterns Day”)*
• June 6: Memorial Day
• Mid-July – mid-August: Summer vacation
• July 17: Constitution Day
• August 15: Liberation Day

* Dates of these holidays vary with the lunar calendar.