Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Real Reality]

Koreans to Lose 2 Public Holidays From 2006
Arbor Day, which falls on April 5 will be crossed off the public holiday list next year, with Constitution Day on July 17 also being removed in 2008. In a meeting yesterday, the Cabinet approved a revision to cut the two holidays. The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan.

The move follows the introduction of a five-day workweek system with 40 working hours. Starting next month, all employees of public organizations and non-government workplaces with 300 or more employees are to benefit from the reduced workweek system... In April, major business organizations including the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) suggested the government erase National Foundation Day on Oct. 3 from the public holiday list as well this year,...
By Seo Dong-shin, Korea Times (June 20, 2005)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200506/kt2005062019313510510.htm

What is wrong with this headline?
Koreans to Lose 2 Public Holidays From 2006

[periwinkle]

Grrrrrrrr... I don't understand what the reason for this is. Maybe the gov't thinks holidays are detrimental to the economy. I only get 2 weeks vacation per year, so this is bad news. Now I'm pissed off.

[komtengi]

maybe they finally realised they have too many public holidays, more than most other countries

[Bulsajo]

[peppermint]

well, what's wrong with the headline is that they're not losing one until 2008. They do have lots of holidays, but once they're pared down, it would be very nice if they learned the art of 3 day weekends. (Buddha turns 3945 on sunday, celebrate on monday kinda thing)

[steroidmaximus]

actually they don't have that many holidays compared to many European countries

[Real Reality]

Bulsajo and peppermint are winners.
Of course, peppermint is a bigger winner.

There was one more acceptable answer.

If you read the article, then you would have noticed the end of the article had nothing to do with the headline.

Koreans to Lose 2 Public Holidays From 2006
.... The Cabinet also approved a revision of the law governing registration and disclosure of military service records of public officials. Under the revised law, military records of officials with ranks higher than the fourth level will be made public not only on the government's official gazette, but also on the Web site of the Military Manpower Administration (MMA).

The commissioner of the MMA will also be notified about officials serving at central government agencies. Regional offices of the MMA will be in charge of the relevant information on those working at local public organizations.

The move came following recent controversy on the lack of "noblesse oblige," in which a large number of the public criticized high-ranking government officials and their sons for dodging the compulsory military draft.
By Seo Dong-shin, Korea Times (June 20, 2005)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200506/kt2005062019313510510.htm

[thorin]

I think it's part of the transition to a 5-day work week.

[weatherman]

It good to know that I will be keeping the holidays for only Koreans are losing them.

It should read, Korea to lose 2 holidays.

[diablo3]

For those who teach 20 days per month, it should make no difference because you still teach 20 days per month.

As for the others, what can you really do other than work 2 more days per year.