This year's Seollal holiday could last up to 9 days (Jan. 25 to Feb. 2). According to a survey by the Korea Transport Institute, 20% of the public plans to travel during the holiday. The government expects a total of 34.84 million people to travel from the 24th to the 2nd of next month. During the holiday period, there will be exemptions for highway tolls, free access to public parking lots, free entry to palaces and museums, and discounts on amusement park admission.
◇Exemption of road tolls, extension of last subway and bus services to 2 a.m.
The government will exempt highway tolls nationwide from the 27th to the 30th. Gyeonggi Province will not charge tolls on three privately operated roads, including Ilsan Bridge, the Third Gyeongin Expressway, and the Seo Suwon-Uiwang Expressway from the 27th to the 29th. A Gyeonggi Province official noted, "We will provide convenience for travelers and tourists."
The Seoul Metropolitan Government will extend last subway and bus services to 2 a.m. on the 29th and 30th. Subway lines 1 through 9, Uijeongbu Light Rail, and Sinlim Line will increase operations by 118 times a day. Four city bus routes that pass through municipal cemeteries will have an additional 46 operations per day. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will open more than 14,000 public parking lots for free during the holiday.
◇Free access to palaces and arboreta
Various palaces, arboreta, and tourist sites will be accessible for free. Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung will not charge entrance fees from the 25th to the 30th. Jongmyo Shrine, which usually operates by reservation, will allow free visits during the Seollal holiday. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art will be open for free from the 27th to the 30th. The National Baekdudaegan Arboretum, National Sejong Arboretum, and National Korean Native Plant Center (25th to 30th) will also be open for free, as will Juknokwon and Hanjaegol Arboretums in Damyang, Jeonnam (28th to 30th).
Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, will offer discounts up to 59% during the holiday and provide traditional rice cake soup experiences. At Lotte World in Jamsil, Seoul, admittance will be discounted for those holding SRT tickets or a Seoul Climate Companion Card (unlimited public transport pass). In Busan, a budget of 300 million won will be allocated to provide accommodation coupons, discounts for tourist sites, and a drone performance at Gwangalli Beach.
◇High number of emergency patients during holidays... Safety accident management
Managing safety accidents during the holidays is crucial. Local governments will operate comprehensive and emergency situation rooms. A total of 412 emergency medical institutions nationwide will be available for holiday visits. On average, 16,815 clinics and 9,080 pharmacies will be open each day during the holiday.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government will activate a 24-hour emergency medical system during the emergency care period (Jan. 25 to Feb. 2). Clinics for respiratory infections for COVID-19, influenza, and other illnesses will also be available. Kim Tae-hee, the Director of the Citizens' Health Bureau of Seoul, said, "I hope individuals with mild illnesses like stomach cramps or colds use their nearest clinic or pharmacy instead of the emergency room during the holiday," and emphasized the importance of wearing masks as respiratory diseases are currently prevalent.