Due to stress from North Korea, South Korea is getting an extended holiday this year

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Chuseok, the Korean version of Thanksgiving, falls from October 4-6 this year. October 3 also marks another national holiday - Korea's National Foundation Day, while October 9 is yet another - Hangeul Day (Celebrating the founding of Korea's written language). To add to this series of national holidays, the president has declared Monday, October 2 an, official holiday this year.

This means citizens such as social workers, private enterprise employees, and more will be able to enjoy the holidays beginning Saturday, September 30, all the way through Monday, October 9! According to reports, the decision to lengthen the Chuseok holidays this year had to do with the difficult controversies Korea faced earlier in 2017, as well as ongoing pressure from North Korea, in hopes to relieve citizens of some of the built up stress.

In response to the lengthy holidays, pharmacies, general hospitals, and more will operate on designated, limited services in certain regions of the country. In addition, some regions will be advocating that families visit local markets for their shopping necessities instead of chain stores.

Hope everyone has a happy Chuseok!