The government and the ruling party designated the 27th as a temporary holiday, falling between the Lunar New Year holiday and the preceding weekend. In this case, taking just one day off results in a total of nine days off, creating a 'golden holiday.'
On the 8th, Kim Sang-hoon, the policy committee chair of the People Power Party, noted during a briefing on the results of a high-level government and party meeting that the government and ruling party agreed to designate the 27th as a temporary holiday. This year's Lunar New Year holiday allows for six consecutive days off from the weekend of the 25th to 26th, followed by the Lunar New Year holiday from the 27th to the 30th. Taking just one day off on the day after the Lunar New Year holiday, the 31st, results in nine days off.
This is the government's third month since designating a temporary holiday, having done so last in October of the previous year. The government designated October 1st, Armed Forces Day, as a temporary holiday through a resolution of the State Council, allowing for a total of nine days off, including weekends and holidays, with just one day off.
This plan is interpreted as the government pulling out the 'golden holiday card' to change the atmosphere as consumer sentiment has frozen due to the 12·3 state of emergency.
In October, there is also a golden holiday waiting, allowing seven consecutive days off. Starting from Gold Day on October 3rd, Friday, to Saturday, the 4th; the Chuseok holiday from the 5th to 7th; a substitute holiday on the 8th; and Hangeul Day on the 9th. Taking just one day off on the 10th can also lead to a total of 10 days off by including the weekend of the 11th and 12th.