Why is Sunday Considered a Paid Holiday in South Korea?

 

Why Sundays Are Listed as a Paid Holiday in Korean Labor Law

1. Sundays Are Typically Designated as the Weekly Paid Holiday

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2. What “Paid Holiday” Actually Means

The term “paid” means:

• The employee does not work that day,

• But still receives their regular wages as if they had worked.

To qualify for the weekly paid holiday, employees generally must:

• Work their full contractual workweek, and

• Meet reasonable attendance requirements consistent with the law.

If these conditions are met, the weekly holiday must be paid.

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3. How This Differs from Public Holidays and Vacation Days

Korea distinguishes between several types of holidays:

주휴일 (Weekly Paid Holiday)

• Legal basis: Labor Standards Act, Article 55

• Usually designated as Sunday

• Paid

공휴일 (Public Holidays)

• Legal basis: Labor Standards Act + Presidential Decree

• Examples: Lunar New Year, Chuseok, National Foundation Day

• Paid (mandatory for private employers as of 2022)

Company-Designated Holidays (사내 휴일)

• Determined by internal company policy

• May be paid or unpaid depending on contract

 

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4. Important Clarification: The 11 Days of Paid Leave Do Not Include Sundays

Under Korean labor law, employees are entitled to at least 11 days of paid annual leave in their first year of employment (assuming proper attendance). Many teacher contracts reference these 11 paid vacation days.

It is important to understand:

• These 11 paid vacation days are separate from Sundays.

• Sundays are already counted as weekly paid holidays (주휴일).

• Annual leave days are additional paid days off.

• If a vacation period includes a Sunday, that Sunday does not count toward the 11 days of paid leave.

In other words, Sundays are not deducted from a teacher’s annual paid vacation entitlement.

 

Concept	Korean Term	Legal Basis	Typical Day	Paid?
Weekly Paid Holiday	주휴일	Labor Standards Act, Art. 55	Usually Sunday	Yes
Public Holidays	공휴일	Labor Standards Act + Presidential Decree	Varies	Yes (mandatory as of 2022)
Annual Paid Leave	연차 유급휴가	Labor Standards Act	Scheduled by agreement	Yes
Company Holidays	사내 휴일	Internal policy	Varies	Depends

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In short, Sunday is commonly listed as a paid holiday because it is typically designated as the weekly paid holiday under Korean labor law. However, the law requires one paid holiday per week, not specifically Sunday, and annual paid leave (such as the 11 days provided in teacher contracts) is separate from weekly paid holidays and does not include Sundays.