Severe Traffic Congestion on the Second Day of Chuseok Holiday Return... Airports and Train Stations Also Crowded

Heavy Traffic on Highways All Day Due to Returning Vehicles
Train and Bus Tickets Sold Out... Increased Travel Demand During Long Holiday

On the second day of the Chuseok holiday on the 15th, highways and national roads nationwide experienced severe congestion due to returning travelers. Although some travelers were dispersed due to the long holiday, overlapping travel demand caused significant traffic jams in many areas.

Train stations, bus terminals, and passenger ferry terminals were crowded with many passengers from early morning. Most tickets were sold out, and the Korea Expressway Corporation announced that the heaviest congestion in the direction of returning home was expected that day. The congestion was predicted to peak between noon and 1 p.m. and to ease between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.

On the 13th, ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the southbound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway viewed from Jamwon IC in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are congested due to a mix of holiday travelers and commuters. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The nationwide traffic volume was expected to be about 5.96 million vehicles, with 520,000 vehicles moving from the metropolitan area to the provinces and 420,000 vehicles moving from the provinces to the metropolitan area.

On the Gyeongbu Expressway, heavy congestion occurred in the section from Giheung-Dongtan IC to Cheonan JC toward Busan; on the Jungbu Expressway, from Majang JC to Nami JC toward Cheongwon; on the Seoul-Yangyang Expressway, from Gangil IC to Seorak IC; and on the Yongseo Expressway, from Seopangyo IC to Hasanun Tunnel toward Yongin. The Honam Expressway saw a sharp increase in traffic volume due to returning vehicles, with congestion intensifying from the afternoon.

Most routes at Suwon Station were sold out, and more citizens than usual used the station. Accordingly, additional staff were deployed. Busan Station, Daejeon Station, Cheonan-Asan Station, and Sejong Complex Terminal were also crowded with returning travelers.

On the 13th, ahead of the Chuseok holiday, travelers heading to their hometowns are boarding buses at the Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Most KTX high-speed train tickets at Osong Station were sold out. Jeju Airport and Gimhae Airport were also crowded with returning travelers and tourists. Jeju Airport was scheduled to receive 220 domestic flights on 12 routes, while two Chinese flights were canceled due to a typhoon on the international routes.

Cheongju Airport was congested with departing passengers. A Cheongju Airport official said, "The airport is crowded with tourists heading to Jeju or overseas during the holiday," and urged, "Since the airport parking lot is very congested, please use public transportation."

Passenger ferries at Incheon Port, Boryeong Daecheon Port, Gunsan Port terminals, and those connecting islands in the West Sea were operating smoothly.