The Korean National Police Agency said on the 13th it will push a "comprehensive public safety plan" ahead of the Chuseok holiday. Police noted this year's Chuseok break runs for four days from the 24th to the 27th, shorter than usual, and judged that demand for policing will concentrate in a short period, prompting preparations.
First, from the 17th through the last day of the Chuseok holiday, the 27th, police will step up preventive assessments and patrols in areas dense with single-person households and other crime-prone neighborhoods. The move takes into account that more people are spending the holiday alone without traveling to their hometowns.
Authorities will also inspect facilities that draw crowds during the break, such as mixed-use malls and convenience stores, and, where needed, provide escorted return-home services with volunteer community patrols and conduct joint patrols.
As contact among family members and couples increases, police will review in advance the status of relationship-based crimes—such as domestic violence, child abuse, stalking, and dating violence—to prevent repeat offenses. They will also tighten prevention and crackdowns on livelihood-impacting crimes, including robbery and theft, illegal private lending, and voice phishing that poses as delivery updates or family welfare checks.
Anticipating heavier average daily traffic during the Chuseok holiday, police will manage in stages congestion-prone sections on expressways, major national highways, and around traditional markets, terminals, and cemeteries. They will also focus enforcement on major traffic violations such as drunk and reckless driving.
During the Chuseok holiday, the Korean National Police Agency's situation manager will be elevated from senior superintendent to senior superintendent general. The Korean National Police Agency said it will "keep an even closer eye on everyday surroundings so people can spend a peaceful holiday, and carry out public safety activities that can be felt close to daily life, from crime prevention to safety on the way to and from hometowns."