Labour Day

In South Korea, Labour Day is observed annually on May 1 and is commonly called Workers’ Day or Labor Day (근로자의 날, 노동절). Its modern meaning is connected to the international May Day movement, which emerged from nineteenth-century campaigns for shorter working hours and improved labor rights. Korea’s first recorded May Day observance took place in Seoul in 1923, during the Japanese colonial period, when labor and social organizations held gatherings highlighting workers’ rights and solidarity.

After liberation, the date and official status of the observance changed several times. May 1 was replaced by March 10 during the 1950s as the government promoted a separate Labor Day tradition, but May 1 was restored in 1994. Today, the day is a legally designated paid holiday for many employees under Korea’s Labor Day legislation, although it is not classified in exactly the same way as a national public holiday under the Public Holidays Act. Public offices and schools generally operate normally, while many private companies, banks, and financial institutions close or provide paid leave. In 2026, Labour Day falls on Friday, May 1.

Korean Labour Day is marked by labor-union rallies, marches, conferences, award ceremonies, and public campaigns concerning wages, workplace safety, employment security, and workers’ rights. The largest events are often held in Seoul and other industrial centers, while regional unions and workplaces organize commemorative meetings, sports events, volunteer activities, or recognition ceremonies for long-serving employees. Some organizations use the day to remember workers who died in industrial accidents or to draw attention to the conditions of temporary, migrant, platform, and other vulnerable workers.

For many employees, the day is also an opportunity to rest, travel, spend time with family, or enjoy a short spring outing. There is no single traditional Labour Day food or household ritual in Korea; meals at restaurants, picnics, and company or union gatherings are more typical than a prescribed menu. Common greetings include “Happy Labour Day,” “즐거운 근로자의 날 보내세요” (Have a pleasant Workers’ Day), and “노동절을 축하합니다” (Happy Labour Day). Because the holiday’s practical observance depends on employment status, workers should check their company’s schedule, especially in workplaces that operate continuously or follow alternative holiday arrangements.