By Jung Min-ho
The mass migration for Seollal, or the Lunar New Year’s Day, has begun.
More than 16 million Koreans are expected to hit the road during the five-day holiday, according to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.
Expressways were clogged and airports and railway stations busy at the start of the traditional pilgrimage for family reunions and holiday-making trips.
The number of travelers is predicted to peak Thursday, Seollal, with 7 million likely to move.
Information on less-congested roads and other traffic situations is available through broadcasts, the ministry’s website (cyber.mltm.go.kr/traffic) and its mobile website (m.mltm.go.kr/traffic).
The government has increased the number of express buses, trains, flights and ferries to reduce traffic congestion during the holiday.
For Seoul citizens planning to return late Friday or Saturday, the city government will extend the operating hours of subways and intra-city buses to 2 a.m.
With many people expected to drive, a recent survey showed that a larger than usual number of them could suffer drowsiness.
According to a survey by Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance of 300 Seoul citizens, 36 percent slept fewer than six hours on the eve of their return to the city.
Over the past five years, the average number of accidents caused by drowsy driving on Seollal was 33, almost twice as a normal day.
Thousands of clinics, hospitals and pharmacies will be open each day around the country.
The authorities will also operate a 24-hour emergency medical information center, and those calling 1339 can find information on hospitals and pharmacies on duty in their towns. English, Chinese and Japanese speakers can also use the service.
The list of operating medical institutions is also posted on the ministry’s website (www.mw.go.kr) and the call center’s website (1339.or.kr).
Smartphone users can find such information through the free application, 1339 emergency medical service, including maps and photos of medical institutions.
The country is forecast to have fine weather throughout Saturday, while Gangwon and North Gyeongsang provinces have a chance of rain or snow on Wednesday evening. Rain is expected nationwide on Sunday.