SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — The government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) agreed Wednesday to designate Jan. 27 as a temporary holiday this year to boost private consumption and domestic tourism ahead of the Lunar New Year.
This year’s Lunar New Year falls on Jan. 29. If confirmed, the holiday will be extended to six days from Jan. 25-30.
Rep. Kim Sang-hoon, the PPP’s top policymaker, made the announcement after a meeting between the government and PPP lawmakers, saying they expect “positive effects” from the designation, such as boosting the domestic economy and easing traffic.
Seol, or Lunar New Year’s Day, marks one of South Korea’s longest holidays in which many South Koreans head back to their hometowns for ancestral rituals and to spend time with their families.
(Yonhap)