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Banks in South Korea to open at 9:30 a.m. from April 2027

by Ryu Yuna Posted : September 29, 2026, 09:57Updated : September 29, 2026, 09:57
Banking hours across major markets
Banking hours across major markets based on representative major bank branch hours as of Sept. 29, 2026. Graphics generated by ChatGPT
SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) — South Korean banks are set to open 30 minutes later from April 2027, with branch hours changing from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. under a tentative agreement between the Korea Financial Industry Union (KFIU) and the Korea Financial Industry Employers Association.

The deal, reached after about five months of negotiations, also includes a 3 percent wage increase and measures aimed at improving work-life balance. It comes as the government pushes to reduce working hours and digital banking reshapes how customers use bank services.

AJP Takeaways

- South Korean banks are set to shorten branch operating hours from April 2027, with opening time moving from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. while the 4 p.m. closing time remains unchanged.

- The Korea Financial Industry Union (KFIU) and the Korea Financial Industry Employers Association reached the tentative agreement on September 28, 2026, after about five months of negotiations.
Ryu Yuna Reporter
Ryu Yuna

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