A normal May in Seoul: 24°C by day, 14°C at night, rain on about 7.0 days (95 mm). What to wear: mild — long sleeves or a light jacket. It does not snow in Seoul in May. Public holidays: Labor Day (May 1), Substitute holiday (Labor Day) (May 3), Children’s Day (May 5), Buddha’s Birthday (May 13).
May weather around Korea
| City | High / low °C | Rain mm | Rain days | Snow days | Humidity % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seoul | 24° / 14° | 95 | 7.0 | 0.0 | 58 |
| Busan | 23° / 15° | 129 | 6.6 | 0.0 | 66 |
| Jeju City | 23° / 16° | 85 | 6.7 | 0.0 | 68 |
| Gangneung | 23° / 13° | 64 | 5.5 | 0.0 | 59 |
| Gyeongju | 25° / 12° | 61 | 5.9 | — | 63 |
| Jeonju | 25° / 13° | 92 | 6.6 | 0.0 | 63 |
| Daegwallyeong (ski area) | 20° / 7° | 74 | 7.6 | — | 66 |
Seoul daytime highs: April 19°C → May 24°C → June 28°C, so May is warmer than the month before. For the next 10 days’ forecast see Korea weather.
Public holidays in May 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| May 1 (Sat) | Labor Day May 1 — a public holiday; banks and many offices close. |
| May 3 (Mon) | Substitute holiday (Labor Day) A weekday off given because Labor Day fell on a weekend or overlapped another holiday. |
| May 5 (Wed) | Children’s Day May 5 — parks, zoos and amusement parks are at their busiest of the year. |
| May 13 (Thu) | Buddha’s Birthday Lunar April 8 — temples hold lantern festivals; Jogyesa and Bongeunsa in Seoul are decorated for weeks. |
Banks and government offices close on these days; palaces, museums, shops and restaurants mostly open. See Korea public holidays for long weekends and what closes.
Festivals in May 2027
1 festival start in May (Korea Tourism Organization listings).
| Festival | Dates | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Vegan & Halal Beauty Fair (비건·할랄뷰티페어) | May 12 – May 14 | Seoul |
Plan the rest
FAQ
What is the weather like in Korea in May?
In Seoul a normal May has highs around 24°C and lows around 14°C, with rain on about 7.0 days. Jeju is 23°C / 16°C and Busan 23°C / 15°C.
What should I wear in Korea in May?
Mild — long sleeves or a light jacket. Mornings and evenings are around 14°C in Seoul.
Does it snow in Korea in May?
It does not snow in Seoul in May.
Are there public holidays in May 2027?
Labor Day on May 1; Substitute holiday (Labor Day) on May 3; Children’s Day on May 5; Buddha’s Birthday on May 13.
Weather: Korea Meteorological Administration station records, 2011–2025 averages (not the official 1991–2020 normals). Holidays: Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. Festivals: Korea Tourism Organization (TourAPI). Page rebuilt 2026-10-01.
