All schools are closed for Korean national holidays and most schools close for a week in summer and a week at the end of the calendar year between semesters.

Very seldom are you able to take discretionary vacations. If you're planning to attend a wedding at home or need specific vacation time we highly recommend informing your employer well in advance, if possible even before you sign the contract.

Standard contracts offer one to two weeks of paid vacation per year. This time is usually between semesters, thus you can expect to have a week of vacation in the summer and a week of vacation in the winter. In addition there are 12-14 Korean national holidays per year.

Although these holidays are not considered national holidays, if you have the opportunity to observe them you will be rewarded with a unique perspective on Korean culture.

• Sokchonje
  • This holiday is observed twice a year according to the lunar calendar, usually in March and August. Only staged in the courtyard of the Confucius Shrine at Sunkyunkwan University in Northern Seoul, performances are given by a traditional court orchestra and fully costumed court rituals are enacted. Take the subway to the Hyehwa stop on the blue line and ask for directions to Sunkyunkwan University (Sunkykunkwan daehak odishimnika?) It is only a short walk away.