Korea's June Public Holidays for Foreigners, What Closes…

What Public Holidays Does Korea Have in June 2026?

Korea observes one official public holiday in June 2026: Memorial Day, known as Hyeonchungil (현충일), on Saturday, June 6. It honors soldiers and civilians who died serving the country. Because June 6 falls on a Saturday in 2026, no substitute weekday holiday applies under current Korean law.

Why Memorial Day Matters for Foreign Residents

Memorial Day is a national day of remembrance. At 10:00 a.m., a one-minute siren sounds nationwide. You may see Korean flags flown at half-mast on apartment balconies and government buildings. The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs coordinates the main ceremony at Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu.

For foreign residents on a D-2, E-7, F-2, F-4, F-5, or F-6 visa, the practical impact is service closures. Government offices, including the Korea Immigration Service, shut for the day. Planning ahead matters if your Alien Registration Card (ARC) renewal or visa extension falls near this date.

Korea public holidays calendar foreigners

Are Immigration Offices Open on Memorial Day?

No. All Korea Immigration Service offices nationwide close on Memorial Day, June 6, 2026. This includes Seoul Immigration Office, Suwon, Busan, Incheon Airport Immigration, and all regional branches. In-person ARC issuance, visa extension interviews, and re-entry permit applications are unavailable.

Online Services That Stay Available

The HiKorea portal operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can complete several tasks online even when offices close:

• Visa extension applications (D-2, D-4, D-10, E-series, F-2)
• Re-entry permit requests for short trips abroad
• Address change reports within 14 days of moving
• ARC reissue applications for lost or damaged cards
• Appointment booking for in-person visits the following week

“Foreign nationals must report any change of address within 14 days using HiKorea online services or by visiting their nearest immigration office.” - Korea Immigration Service, Immigration Control Act Article 36

If your visa expires on June 6 or within a few days after, apply online by June 5 at the latest. The 1345 Immigration Contact Center provides multilingual phone support (English, Chinese, Vietnamese, and 17 other languages) Monday through Friday, 09:00–18:00 KST, but is closed on Memorial Day itself.

HiKorea online visa extension guide

What About Healthcare and Pharmacies?

Large tertiary hospitals operate emergency rooms 24/7, including on Memorial Day. Severance Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Asan Medical Center, and Seoul National University Hospital all maintain full ER staffing. Outpatient clinics and specialist appointments at these hospitals close.

Pharmacies and Holiday Coverage

Most neighborhood pharmacies close on Memorial Day. However, holiday pharmacies (휴일지킴이약국, hyuil jikimi yakguk) operate on rotation. To find one near you:

1. Dial 119 and ask for a holiday pharmacy (English support available)
2. Visit the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service website and search “holiday pharmacy”
3. Use the Naver Map or Kakao Map app and search “휴일약국”
4. Check the Ministry of Health and Welfare emergency medical information page

The National Health Insurance Service customer center at 1577-1000 operates limited hours on holidays. The English-language hotline runs 09:00–18:00 weekdays only, so save documents you might need (insurance card, ARC) before the holiday.

Do Banks and ATMs Work on Memorial Day?

All Korean commercial banks close on Memorial Day. KB Kookmin, Shinhan, Woori, Hana, NH Nonghyup, IBK Industrial Bank, and Korea Exchange Bank branches do not open for in-person service. Foreign banks operating in Korea, such as Citibank Korea and Standard Chartered Korea, follow the same closure schedule.

What Still Works

Digital banking remains fully operational:

• Mobile banking apps (KB Star Banking, Shinhan SOL, Toss, KakaoBank)
• Internet banking via PC for most account holders
• ATMs in convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Emart24) accept domestic cards
• International remittance through services like Wise, Sentbe, GMoneyTrans (processing may delay until next business day)

Foreign card holders should note that ATMs labeled “Global ATM” or “Foreign Card OK” accept Visa, Mastercard, and UnionPay. These are common at major subway stations and inside large convenience stores in Seoul, Busan, and Incheon.

“Banking services through electronic financial transactions are available 24 hours, but in-branch services close on national holidays designated under the Act on Public Holidays.” - Financial Supervisory Service guidance

If you have a wire transfer deadline (rent payment, school fees, immigration application fee), complete it by Friday, June 5, 2026. Bank-to-bank transfers initiated on Saturday may not post until Monday, June 8.

Korea bank account foreigner ARC

How Do Transport and Daily Services Run?

Public transportation in Korea operates throughout Memorial Day, though some services follow a holiday schedule with reduced frequency. The Korea Tourism Organization confirms that all major transit modes remain available.

Transit and Daily Essentials

• Subway: Seoul Metro, Busan Metro, and other city subways run holiday schedules, typically with longer intervals between trains (8–12 minutes vs. 3–5 minutes on weekdays)
• Buses: City buses and intercity buses operate normally; check Kakao Bus or Naver Map for real-time updates
• KTX and SRT: High-speed rail runs full schedules; book early via Korail website as Memorial Day weekend sees heavy domestic travel
• Taxis and Uber: Standard taxis, Kakao T, and Uber operate 24/7 with normal fares (no holiday surcharge in Korea)
• Convenience stores: CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, and Emart24 stay open 24 hours
• Restaurants: Most chain restaurants open; small independent eateries may close, especially in residential neighborhoods
• Post offices: Korea Post branches close; mail and parcel deliveries pause but resume Monday

Tourist Attractions and Government Cultural Sites

Major palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung) and the National Museum of Korea stay open on Memorial Day, though some government-run sites like the Korea Immigration Service Visitor Center close. The National Folk Museum offers free admission to foreign residents with ARC year-round.

What If My ARC or Visa Deadline Falls on June 6?

Korean immigration law allows automatic extension to the next business day when a deadline falls on a public holiday. If your visa expires on June 6, 2026, you have until Monday, June 8, to apply for extension without penalty. However, applying early via HiKorea is strongly recommended.

Documents to Prepare in Advance

For any immigration matter near a public holiday, gather these documents before June 5:

1. Current passport with at least 6 months remaining validity
2. Current ARC (front and back copy)
3. Proof of address (lease agreement, utility bill, or jeonse contract)
4. Bank statement or proof of financial support
5. Enrollment certificate (D-2/D-4) or employment contract (E-series)
6. Application fee (60,000 KRW for most extensions, payable online or at immigration office banks)

The Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP) also pauses class sessions on Memorial Day. KIIP exams scheduled near holidays are typically rescheduled; check your enrolled center’s notice board or the official KIIP website.

If you need urgent assistance during the holiday, the 1345 Immigration Contact Center is closed, but the Multicultural Family Support Center offers emergency interpretation services through its 1577-1366 hotline (24/7, multilingual).

Final Tips for Navigating Korea’s June Holiday

Memorial Day on June 6, 2026, is the only public holiday in June. Plan errands, government applications, and bank transfers for the days before. The longer pattern matters too: Korea has no public holidays in May 2026 between Children’s Day (May 5) and Memorial Day, then no holidays in July before Liberation Day (August 15).

For a structured monthly view of closures and reduced services affecting foreign residents, foreign-resident-focused resources like the Seoul Global Center (☎ 02-2075-4180, free legal and visa consultation in English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Mongolian) offer free briefings each month.

✅ Checklist before you start

• Confirm whether your ARC renewal or visa extension date falls near June 6, 2026
• If your visa expires on June 6 or within a few days after, submit the application via HiKorea by June 5
• Use HiKorea online for address change reports within 14 days of moving
• Book any required in-person immigration appointment for the week after Memorial Day
• Save the 1345 Immigration Contact Center number for weekday support (09:00–18:00 KST, Mon–Fri)

📊 At a glance