Happy Monday is under review in Korea

The government is considering "Happy Monday" to allow people to take three days off by moving some holidays to Mondays, aiming to boost domestic consumption and protect the right to rest.

According to the "Direction for Economic Policies for the Second Half" released by the government on Monday, it will commission a research to revise the current holiday scheme. Based on the result of the service, it will overhaul the scheme next year at the earliest.

The U.S. and Japan have already introduced "Happy Monday." The U.S. celebrates Presidents’ Day on the third Monday in February and Labor Day on the first Monday of September, while Japan designates Coming of Age Day on the second Monday of January and Health and Sports Day on the second Monday of October. This is to make public holidays predictable, increasing workers’ engagement and protecting the people’s right to rest.

A three-day holiday including the weekend could increase travel and consumption, vitalizing the domestic economy. The Korean government considers Children’s Day (May 5), Memorial Day (June 6) and Hangeul (Korean alphabet) Day (October 9) as candidates for Happy Monday.

세종=박민우기자 minwoo@donga.com