Seoul Launches 24-Hour Emergency Medical Care System
1,260 Hospitals and Clinics, 1,490 Pharmacies Open Daily
Emergency Care Centers and Specialized Hospitals Operating Without Holiday Closures
Rapid Response System Established for High-Risk Pregnant Women and Newborns
Taking into account the long Chuseok holiday that begins on October 3, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will implement a 24-hour emergency medical care system. In particular, to ensure that patients with mild symptoms can easily receive treatment, a total of approximately 19,000 "open hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies" have been designated and will be in operation.
Detailed information about these 19,000 locations can be found on the Seoul Metropolitan Government's "2025 Chuseok Holiday Comprehensive Information" website and the websites of the 25 district offices. Information is also available through the mobile apps "Sonmok Doctor 9988" and "Emergency Medical Information Provider." Additionally, residents can call 120 (Dasan Call Center) or 119 (Emergency Situation Management Center) without an area code to receive assistance.
Emergency medical institutions and general hospital emergency rooms will continue to operate 24 hours a day during the Chuseok holiday as usual. A total of 70 facilities will be in operation at all times, including 31 regional and local emergency medical centers such as Seoul National University Hospital, 18 local emergency medical institutions such as Seonam Hospital, and 21 hospitals with emergency rooms.
To reduce emergency room overcrowding during the holiday and to make it easier for patients with mild symptoms to receive treatment, an average of 2,750 "open hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies" (1,260 hospitals and clinics, 1,490 pharmacies) will be available each day. In addition, two Seoul-type emergency care centers, which provide urgent care for patients with mild symptoms who cannot access emergency rooms, and four specialized hospitals for specific diseases (surgical departments) will operate every day without holiday closures. The Seoul-type emergency care centers will treat acute conditions such as trauma and high fever from 9 a.m. to midnight daily, while the specialized hospitals will provide 24-hour care for surgical emergency patients every day.
For pediatric patients, eight "Our Child Safe Hospitals" and three "Our Child Specialized Emergency Centers" will be open 24 hours a day. Outpatient care for children with mild symptoms will be provided at 10 "Our Child Safe Clinics" and 15 "Moonlight Children's Hospitals."
In addition, a 24-hour hotline between related agencies will be operated during the Chuseok holiday to prepare for emergency situations involving high-risk pregnant women and newborns. Participating medical institutions will secure reserve beds in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and ensure that specialists are on standby around the clock for treatment and emergency deliveries. The high-risk mother and newborn hotline includes the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Fire and Disaster Headquarters, Metropolitan Emergency Situation Room, maternal and child medical centers (Seoul National University Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital), and municipal hospitals (Seoul Medical Center, Boramae Hospital).
The city will also make every effort to ensure the operation of public healthcare. The 25 district health centers and seven municipal hospitals will each operate an "emergency medical team" for two days during the Chuseok holiday, and all health centers will provide normal services on the day of Chuseok. Among the municipal hospitals, Seoul Medical Center, Boramae Hospital, Dongbu Hospital, and Seonam Hospital will provide 24-hour emergency care throughout the holiday. In addition, "essential over-the-counter medicines" (13 types), such as digestive aids, antipyretic analgesics, cold medicine, and patches, can be easily purchased at 6,959 convenience stores and other designated outlets. Information on these outlets is available on the Seoul Metropolitan Government's "2025 Chuseok Holiday Comprehensive Information" website.
Meanwhile, to mark the golden holiday, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will also implement public safety and traffic management measures for citizens' safety and convenience. The city will focus on strengthening patrols in areas vulnerable to crime and accidents, proactively responding to relationship-based crimes, and alleviating traffic congestion. As this period is particularly concerning for a potential increase in relationship-based crimes due to family or romantic disputes and conflicts, the Seoul Autonomous Police Committee and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency will intensify visible prevention activities and respond strictly to serious crimes.
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