[Chuseok Livelihood Measures] Six Days Off During Chuseok Holiday... Expressway Toll Fees Exempted

Announcement of the 19th Emergency Economic and Livelihood Meeting's Chuseok Livelihood Stabilization Measures
Temporary Holiday Designated on October 2

The government will designate October 2 as a temporary holiday. Highway tolls will be waived during the Chuseok holiday period, and parking lots of local governments and public institutions will be opened. To promote domestic tourism, 600,000 accommodation discount coupons will be distributed.

On the 31st, the government announced these measures as part of the Chuseok livelihood stabilization plan at the 19th Emergency Economic and Livelihood Meeting. The aim is to guarantee citizens' right to rest and expand hometown visits during Chuseok by designating October 2, which falls between the Chuseok holiday and National Foundation Day, as a temporary holiday.

To reduce transportation costs during the Chuseok holiday (September 28 to October 1), highway tolls will be waived. During the holiday period, parking lots of local governments and public institutions will be opened. Family companion seats on KTX and SRT trains will also be discounted during the Chuseok holiday.

Measures to revitalize domestic tourism will also be promoted. The government will supply 600,000 accommodation discount coupons, double the originally planned amount, including the Chuseok holiday period. The accommodation coupons will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. After receiving the coupons, registering on the designated accommodation platform will allow users to receive discounts on lodging fees. A Ministry of Economy and Finance official explained, "We plan to thoroughly monitor to prevent accommodation platforms from raising prices after the coupon supply."

Up to 50,000 additional participants will be recruited for the Worker Vacation Support Program. This program is designed to create a workplace culture that encourages taking vacations freely and to promote domestic travel by having the government and companies support workers' domestic travel expenses. The government will run promotions related to accommodation and transportation on the exclusive online mall for program participants, called 'Vacation Shop.' A Ministry of Economy and Finance official explained, "For those planning domestic travel, if a company contributes 100,000 won, the government will match with 100,000 won."

Spaces available for enjoyment during the Chuseok holiday will also be expanded. The Korea Dulle-gil trail will be opened on a trial basis during the holiday, and the summit of Mudeungsan Mountain will be accessible. The number of visitors allowed for Gyeongbokgung Palace’s autumn night viewing will be increased, and nine forest trails of the Joseon Royal Tombs will be opened. These measures aim to increase domestic tourism experiences by opening unique attractions during the holiday. On Chuseok day, September 29, a professional baseball ticket discount event of up to 50% will also be held.

Plans to boost tourism by foreigners visiting Korea for Chuseok are also underway. Following the resumption of group tours from China on the 10th, the government plans to hold the ‘Korea Duty Free Festa’ linked with the Korea Sale Festa in November. The minimum purchase amount for tax refund at duty-free shops will be lowered from 30,000 won to 15,000 won per transaction, and the immediate refund limit will be increased to encourage foreign tourists. Support will also be provided to increase international flight routes at Incheon Airport and regional airports.

Various discount events will be held to stimulate consumption. In September, the ‘Hwanggeumnyeok Donghaeng Festival,’ a promotional event involving private companies, the government, and local governments, will take place. In October, regular autumn sales events featuring discounts in beauty and fashion sectors will be held. Additionally, to revitalize traditional market consumption, the purchase limit for Onnuri gift certificates will be temporarily increased to over 300,000 won per person in September. Temporary roadside parking near the holiday areas will also be permitted during the holiday period.