Chuseok holiday exodus begins

By Bae Ji-sook

The annual exodus toward hometowns for family reunions for the Tuesday through Thursday Chuseok holiday started Monday.

With millions of people hitting the road, extreme traffic congestion is expected on highways, according to the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.

Since many workers are taking extra days off, for some the holiday will last for up to nine days ― from Sept. 18 through Sept. 26 ― one of the longest ever.

On Monday, expressways were already crammed with cars leaving Seoul and its satellite cities.

With rain expected during the peak time for people on the move, traffic conditions could worsen. Transport authorities expect it will take more than nine hours to reach Busan from Seoul. Gwangju, Daegu, Daejeon and other major cities will likely also see massive traffic jams.

All tickets for express buses, planes and trains leaving Seoul are sold out and the transportation ministry is considering allocating more buses for those who have yet prepared means to reach their hometowns.

Buses and metro trains in Seoul will have their running hours extended till 2 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday while more taxis will be operating.

The weather, which saw unusually high temperatures for September, will cool off during the period. Constant rainfall and wind are forecast till Thursday, bringing the mercury down to below 20 degrees Celsius in central parts of the peninsula, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare is running a total of 470 emergency facilities including hospitals and clinics. A list is available at www.1339.or.kr and www.mw.go.kr.

For medical emergencies, speed dial 1339 is open 24 hours a day during the holidays, providing information about the nearest medical facilities and open pharmacies.

Local public healthcare centers in suburban areas will be open to people with limited medical access. To find out more about the emergency medical system, call (02)-2023-7384.

추석 대이동

올해도 화요일부터 목요일까지 아우르는 추석연휴가 월요일부터 시작되었다.

수백만의 사람들이 가족들을 만나기 위해 길을 떠난 가운데, 고속도로 정체가 심할 것이라고 국토해양부는 밠혔다.

어떤 이들은 며칠 휴가를 붙여서 9월 18일부터 26일까지 연속으로 쉴 수 있을 것이다.

월요일에 이미 서울과 경기발 고속도로에서는 이미 극심한 정체가 시작되었다.