South Korea in May

Warm and dry; Buddha's Birthday lanterns and Children's Day crowds.

• Seoul and north-west · Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, the DMZbest weather

  Continental: dry winters down to −15 °C on cold snaps, hot humid summers. Fine dust (yellow dust and pollution) peaks Mar–Apr; the monsoon runs late Jun – Jul.

• Busan and south-east coast · Busan, Gyeongju, Tongyeong, Ulsanbest weather

  Milder winters than Seoul, rarely below freezing; typhoons most likely Aug–Sep and ferries to Japan stop when they pass.

• Jeju · Jeju City, Seogwipo, Hallasanbest weather

  Windy and wet; the island takes the first hit of most typhoons. Hallasan summit gets snow in winter; flights stop in strong crosswinds.

• Gangwon mountains and east coast · Sokcho, Seoraksan, Gangneung, Pyeongchangbest weather

  Coldest region: ski season Dec–Feb, peak autumn colour mid-October in Seoraksan; summer beaches crowded in late Jul – Aug.

• Seoul24° / 13°, 10 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Workers' Day

  1 May

  Many firms and banks close; its status as a full public holiday changed recently — check.

• Children's Day

  5 May

  Amusement parks, zoos and palaces packed with families.

• Buddha's Birthday

  About 13 May 2027 (8th day of the 4th lunar month — check)

  Lantern festival in Seoul the weekend before; temples busy and free meals at some.

• Fine and yellow dust season

  March to May · Seoul

  Some days the air quality index is unhealthy: move outdoor plans and wear a KF94 mask.

• Royal Culture Festival check

  Spring (and some autumn events) · Seoul

  Re-enactments, concerts and night openings; some events need online booking.

• Lotus Lantern Festival check

  The weekend before Buddha's Birthday · Seoul

  Evening lantern parade on the Saturday; street festival by Jogyesa on the Sunday.

Crowds · South Korea

High

Prices · South Korea

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Seoul and north-west

  Best weather of the year (Seoul, Incheon, Suwon, the DMZ)

• Busan and south-east coast

  Best weather of the year (Busan, Gyeongju, Tongyeong, Ulsan)

• Jeju

  Best weather of the year (Jeju City, Seogwipo, Hallasan)

• Gangwon mountains and east coast

  Best weather of the year (Sokcho, Seoraksan, Gangneung, Pyeongchang)

• Seoul

  Warm and dry; a good month.

• Busan

  Best months: Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov (mild, dry, before/after the summer beach crowds)

• Jeju City

  Best months: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct (mild, before summer humidity and after typhoon season)

• Incheon

  Best months: Apr–Jun and Sep–Nov