Withdraw the Push to Designate UN Day as a National Holiday

Statement by the Korean Association of Retired Persons (KARP)

We fully recognize that the freedom and prosperity the Republic of Korea enjoys today were made possible by the noble sacrifice and dedication of the United Nations (UN) and the countries that participated in the Korean War. As an NGO in consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the Korean Association of Retired Persons (KARP, President Juch Myong-Yong) deeply honors and respects the lofty spirit of the United Nations more than anyone.

However, we express grave concern regarding the recent initiative led by Lee Joong-keun, President of the Korean Senior Citizens Association, to designate UN Day (October 24) as a statutory public holiday and to launch a 400,000-signature campaign in support of this proposal. We strongly urge the immediate withdrawal of this campaign. Any legislative efforts by certain members of the National Assembly who support this initiative should also be halted.

Our reasons for opposing the designation of UN Day as a public holiday are as follows:

First, Korea already has one of the highest numbers of public holidays in the world.South Korea currently observes 15 statutory public holidays per year—significantly exceeding the United States (11), the United Kingdom (8), Germany (9–10), France (11), and even the OECD average (11–12). When substitute holidays, election days, and temporary holidays are included, the actual number of non-working days is even higher. Adding yet another public holiday under these circumstances is not desirable from the standpoint of work ethic and national competitiveness. Furthermore, there is no country in the world that designates UN Day as a nationwide national holiday.

Second, it would impose substantial economic losses on businesses and burden the national economy.Our economy is currently facing high inflation, high interest rates, and prolonged domestic stagnation. Both corporations and small business owners are struggling for survival. The addition of a single public holiday would cause significant production disruptions, particularly in our manufacturing-centered industrial structure, due to factory shutdowns. Moreover, the additional holiday work premiums could amount to trillions of won in extra labor costs, ultimately borne by businesses. For small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed business owners who sustain the Korean economy, one more mandatory holiday would represent a serious financial blow and a threat to their survival.

Third, true commemoration lies not in taking a day off, but in remembering.The proper way to honor the UN’s devotion in defending our nation during the Korean War is not for the entire country to suspend work for a day. Rather, it is to faithfully fulfill our respective roles in workplaces and schools, while educating future generations about the UN’s spirit of peace and commemorating it in a dignified and meaningful manner. That is the mature posture of responsible global citizens.

We understand the sincere intention of the Korean Senior Citizens Association, as elders of the nation, to pass on the spirit of peace and gratitude to future generations. However, that intention must not take the form of designating a public holiday that could undermine the foundations of the national economy and weaken the motivation to work.

Accordingly, the Korean Association of Retired Persons (KARP) strongly urges the immediate suspension of the campaign to designate UN Day as a statutory public holiday and calls for the pursuit of mature and realistic methods of remembrance and commemoration that reflect our current economic realities.

February 27, 2026

Korean Association of Retired Persons (KARP)

UN ECOSOC NGO