Ahead of the upcoming 2026 Chuseok Holiday (September 24 to 27), the South Korean government has officially rolled out the 2026 Chuseok Public Livelihood Stability Package to ease consumer inflation, support family budgets, and supply urgent liquidity to local merchants.
Whether you are a local resident, small business owner, or an expat living in South Korea, this year’s relief package offers unprecedented financial benefits: ₩43.4 Trillion in holiday loans and guarantees for small businesses, ₩480 Billion in microfinance for low-income households and youth, and practical consumer savings through a 15% discount on Digital Onnuri Vouchers combined with a 30% on-site cash refund (up to ₩20,000) at traditional markets.
This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of the holiday calendar, grocery discounts, low-interest refinance loans, and how to claim every available subsidy ahead of Chuseok.
📌 Key Highlights:
- 15% Onnuri Voucher Discount + 30% Market Refund: Recharge mobile/card Onnuri vouchers at a 15% discount (up to ₩2M/month). From Sept 16 to 20, buying fresh Korean produce at traditional markets grants an instant 30% on-site voucher cashback (up to ₩20,000 per person).
- ₩43.4 Trillion SME & Small Business Relief: Low-interest refinancing loans (switching 7%+ debts to 4.5% fixed rates) and a 1-year blanket maturity extension on ₩62.4 Trillion in maturing debts.
- ₩480 Billion in Emergency Microfinance: Substantial expansion of Sunshine Loans (햇살론) and special guarantees for credit-vulnerable households and young adults.
- 100% Free Highway Tolls: Nationwide toll fee exemption on all expressways from 00:00 on September 24 (Thu) to 24:00 on September 27 (Sun).
1. 2026 Chuseok Holiday Schedule & Substitute Holiday Rules
The 2026 Chuseok official holiday schedule unfolds as follows:
- Chuseok Eve: Thursday, September 24
- Chuseok Day: Friday, September 25
- Day After Chuseok: Saturday, September 26
- Sunday: September 27
[!NOTE] Is there a Substitute Holiday (대체공휴일) on Monday? Under South Korea’s Regulations on Public Holidays, a substitute holiday for Chuseok is triggered only if one of the three statutory holiday days (Eve, Day, After) overlaps with a Sunday. Because the 2026 holiday spans Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, no substitute holiday occurs on Monday, September 28. The total break is an uninterrupted 4-day holiday from Sept 24 to 27.
2. Slashing Grocery Costs: Onnuri 15% + 30% Market Cashbacks
The most effective strategy to trim holiday food and gift costs is stacking government agricultural discounts, digital Onnuri voucher discounts, and traditional market on-site refunds.
How the 30% On-Site Cashback Works
- Event Window: September 16 to 20, 2026 (Daily 09:30 - 17:30, subject to daily budget caps).
- Refund Brackets:
- Spending ₩34,000 to ₩67,000: ₩10,000 paper voucher refund
- Spending ₩67,000 or more: ₩20,000 paper voucher refund (maximum ₩20k per person weekly).
- Eligibility: Fresh domestic Korean produce, fruits, meat, or seafood purchased from participating registered traditional market merchants.
3. ₩43.4 Trillion SME & Merchant Financial Lifeline
To alleviate seasonal cash flow strain, government financial institutions and commercial banks are deploying ₩43.4 Trillion in dedicated holiday liquidity:
4. 4-Step Practical Roadmap to Maximize Your Chuseok Benefits
Step 1: Install 'Onnuri Pay' & Recharge with 15% Discount
Download the Onnuri Pay or Digital Onnuri Voucher app, link your Korean bank card, and top up your balance with the 15% discount (e.g., ₩1M credit for ₩850k).
Step 2: Shop at Traditional Markets Between Sept 16 and 20
Visit registered traditional market vendors during the 5-day event window and purchase fruits, meats, or seafood using your card or cash receipts.
Step 3: Collect ₩20,000 Cash Voucher at the Market Booth
Take your paper receipt and ID (ARC/Passport accepted) to the on-site redemption booth to immediately collect up to ₩20,000 in paper vouchers.
Step 4: Business Owners Apply for 4.5% Debt Refinancing
Merchants burdened by high interest rates can visit the SEMAS portal (ols.semas.or.kr) to receive instant confirmation certificates and refinance via commercial banking apps.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can foreign residents (expats) use Onnuri Vouchers and claim the 30% refund?
Yes, absolutely. Any foreign resident holding an Alien Registration Card (ARC) or domestic bank account can download the ‘Onnuri Pay’ app, link their domestic credit/debit card, and buy vouchers with the 15% discount. For the 30% traditional market cash refund, simply present your physical ARC and purchase receipt at the market redemption booth.
Q2. Do large hypermarkets (E-Mart, Costco, Homeplus) accept Onnuri Vouchers?
No, they do not. Onnuri Vouchers are exclusively designated for traditional markets and designated local shopping districts. However, large supermarkets are running parallel government discount coupon promotions (30% to 50% off fresh produce), so comparing prices between traditional markets and hypermarkets is recommended.
Q3. How do the free highway tolls work during the holiday?
All vehicles entering or exiting expressway tollgates between 00:00 on Thursday, September 24 and 24:00 on Sunday, September 27 are automatically charged ₩0. Hi-Pass lane users will hear the voice prompt “Toll: 0 Won,” and regular tollgate users simply collect and return their transit ticket without payment.