Ahead of the 2026 Chuseok holiday, online communities including social media platform X (formerly Twitter) are heating up with netizens debating whether Monday, September 28 will be a day off. Many posts uploaded since September 2026 focus on whether the day will be automatically designated as a substitute holiday or whether the government will proclaim it a temporary public holiday.

■ Under current law, September 28 is a 'regular working day'

Under current law, the 2026 Chuseok holiday runs from Thursday, September 24 to Saturday, September 26. With Sunday, September 27 added, the break lasts four days in total. The problem is that a Saturday falls within the holiday period. Since Saturdays during a holiday period are not eligible for substitute holiday designation, Monday, September 28 is classified as a regular working day rather than an automatic substitute holiday.

Among X users, bitter reactions followed one after another, with some saying that having a Saturday fall within the break itself is a loss. One user shared plans to use annual leave on September 28, saying, "Chuseok overlaps with the weekend, so I'll have to use my leave." Another user expressed hope that "the government will designate the 28th as a temporary holiday to create a longer break."

■ "Confusion from misinformation"… Disparities in companies' discretionary days off

Meanwhile, some users pointed out the confusion, saying, "Too many people mistakenly believe it's a substitute holiday even though there's been no official announcement," and "I got my hopes up for nothing and was let down to learn we have to go to work as usual on Monday."

As office workers vent their frustration, posts continue to appear expressing a sense of relative deprivation over whether companies grant discretionary days off.

■ Expectations for boosting consumption vs. on-the-ground confusion… Calls for a decision grow

Meanwhile, voices from political circles and citizens emphasizing the consumption-boosting effect of the extended break and urging a swift policy decision appear to be gaining traction. Self-employed business owners and service industry workers are also burning with anxiety over how the confirmation of the holiday will affect sales and their leave plans, continuously sharing real-time information.

The fatigue of office workers who repeatedly check their calendars and tap away at annual leave calculators is reaching its peak as the holiday draws nearer. With no official government discussion of designating a temporary holiday, netizens' attention and debate over whether to work or attend school on September 28 are expected to continue right up until the holiday.

[The public holiday schedule and any temporary holiday designation may change depending on official government announcements, so it is advisable to check the latest guidance. This article was written based on publicly available materials, with some assistance from AI during the writing process.]