How Does Sunday & Holiday Hours Work in South Korea?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Asia
1The Quick Answer
Most businesses including shops and restaurants operate 7 days a week, and convenience stores are open 24/7 year-round.
2What You Need to Know
South Korea's retail and food culture is remarkably convenient — GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, and emart24 convenience stores operate around the clock every day of the year. Major attractions, restaurants, and tourist facilities are generally open on Sundays. Some traditional markets designate one weekday as a rest day rather than Sunday. Public holidays (there are 15 national holidays) can cause closures at government offices, some museums, and smaller family-run businesses.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Check major holiday dates before your trip — Chuseok (autumn harvest) and Seollal (Lunar New Year) see mass closures and nationwide travel that can disrupt plans.
- 2Convenience stores are genuinely excellent in Korea — hot food, fresh kimbap, and quality snacks are available 24/7 at very low prices.
- 3Gyeongbokgung Palace and most major national museums are closed on Tuesdays, not Sundays — a common tourist mistake to be aware of.
How does this compare?
Sunday & Holiday Hours rules in nearby and similar countries:
Most shops, restaurants, and convenience stores are open 7 days a week. Convenience stores never close. Banks close on weekends.
Most shops, malls, and restaurants are open 7 days a week. Convenience stores never close. Buddhist holidays cause alcohol bans and some closures.
Singapore is open 7 days a week. Malls are open daily. Sunday is a normal shopping day. Public holidays see some closures but major malls stay open.
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