Chuseok Traffic Gridlock: Millions Travel for Family Reunions
The first day of Chuseok in South Korea saw heavy traffic congestion on highways, with millions of people traveling to visit their families. The Korea Expressway Corporation reported busy highways at a standstill on Friday, causing significant delays.
Traffic is expected to peak on Sunday, the main day of Chuseok, and ease by Wednesday afternoon. By 8 a.m. on Friday, overall train reservations had reached nearly 80 percent, with southbound routes recording a booking rate of 95.3 percent. Korail implemented special transport measures, operating 10 additional trains daily until Oct. 12.
Seoul Station was crowded with holiday travelers, while Incheon International Airport is forecast to handle a record 2.45 million passengers during the seven-day period. Despite traffic easing later in the evening, travel times between Seoul and other cities were significantly increased due to congestion.
About 5.24 million vehicles were expected to be on the move nationwide during the Chuseok holiday, highlighting the importance of this traditional family gathering in South Korea. While traffic caused delays, travel measures were implemented to accommodate the high number of travelers.
