Anchor: Koreans will get to enjoy a ten-day vacation that begins later this month, in celebration of the country's annual Chuseok thanksgiving holiday. This, of course, means no work and more time to play. However, local analysts are worried that the lower productivity will cause a blow on the country's economy.
Oh Soo-young reports.
 
Report: Ten vacation days during Korea's annual Chuseok celebrations also means a ten-day halt for the wheels of the economy. 
 
While last year's Chuseok period fell in mid-September, this year, the holiday will stretch from September 30th to October ninth-- which means there will be just 16 working days next month.
 
Analysts worry that the protracted holiday period will cause a significant drag on the country's manufacturing output across various industries such as automobile, shipbuilding and household appliances. 
 
In a recently published report Citibank estimated that Korean exports will only see a one-digit growth in the fourth quarter due to the shorter working days, coupled with a base effect.
 
However, other experts believe total exports won't take a significant beating. Production of the country's main export items such as semiconductors, displays, and steel and chemical products are set to continue throughout the vacation.
 
Also, the local economy is likely to see a boost as people tend to spend more on national holidays.
 
Senior economist Lee Geun-tae of LG Economic Research Institute says that a surge in consumption is likely to make up for the possible slip in export figures in October.
 
While the Korean economy grew at a slower pace in the second quarter, compared to the first three months of this year, domestic consumption showed signs of recovery.
Oh Soo-young, KBS World Radio News.