Gov't confirms Jan. 27 as holiday as Acting-President pleads for spending on local goods

Meanwhile it's official.

January 27th this year has been declared a holiday to pave the path for a six-day lunar new year celebration that authorities hope will serve to encourage domestic spending.

Our Kim Do-yeon has more.

The government has confirmed that January 27th will be a temporary holiday making this year's Seollal or Lunar New Year a six-day holiday.

While this had already been announced, the final confirmation vote by Cabinet was held on Tuesday during a weekly meeting.

Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Finance Choi Sang-mok said this is to boost the suffering economy.

"I hope citizens take the opportunity to recharge during the long holiday, while also boosting the domestic economy through local travel and 관광 및 책임 있는 소비를 통해 국내 경제를 활성화하는 데 기여해주시기를 바랍니다. 상호 성장과 연대의 정신을 함양하는 데 함께 참여해주시길 부탁드립니다."

He said this year's Seollal needs to be used as an opportunity to help the economy recover.

He also added that as previously announced the government decided on the biggest Seollal support package.

This includes increasing the supply of 16 key grocery items by 150 percent, to help lower grocery bills as well as train ticket discounts.

In the meantime, he also made a push for locally produced gift sets.

"During this holiday, to promote domestic agricultural and seafood consumption, we ask that you actively participate in buying the highly discounted gift sets made of local rice or local beef, the key Seollal gift items."

He also urged the members of the Cabinet to share the government's efforts saying if the public isn't aware of the policies then they are useless.

Meanwhile, he also said that as government agencies' new year's briefings continue the government has been focusing on resolving major issues.

But, he said speed is the most important aspect and called on Cabinet members to treat each day as if it were a month during normal times.

Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News.