Byeon Chang-heum "Seol Holiday, Turning Point to Overcome COVID-19... Movement Must Be Minimized"

Report Meeting on Special Traffic Measures Ahead of Seollal
Average Daily Travel Volume During Holiday Expected to Reach 4.38 Million People

Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Byeon Chang-heum (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Jiwon] Byeon Changheum, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, expects this Lunar New Year holiday to be a turning point in overcoming COVID-19. He emphasized that while efforts should be made to minimize movement, quarantine and safety in the road traffic sector are of utmost importance.

Minister Byeon attended the Lunar New Year holiday special traffic measures preparation briefing held at the Government Sejong Complex on the 10th and stressed, "Although the third wave of COVID-19 at the end and beginning of the year has somewhat subsided, the spread is still not under control, so we cannot afford to loosen quarantine measures even slightly."

He said, "Since vaccinations are scheduled to begin at the end of February, this Lunar New Year holiday will be an important turning point in overcoming COVID-19," adding, "Given the seriousness of the timing, like last Chuseok, we must refrain from visiting hometowns, relatives, and traveling, and strive to minimize movement during this holiday as well."

He continued, "The average daily number of travelers during this holiday is expected to be 4.38 million, a 32.6% decrease compared to last Lunar New Year," and explained, "However, due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the use of private cars is expected to increase compared to previous years, so thorough preparation for quarantine in the road traffic sector is more necessary than ever."

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the private car share during the Lunar New Year holiday over the past five years was 86.2%, but this year it is expected to be 93.5%.

Minister Byeon also emphasized the importance of safety management on highways and national roads as long-distance driving increases.

He requested, "With the goal of zero traffic accidents, please actively engage in preventive activities such as strict enforcement against major traffic violations like drunk driving and speeding," and urged, "Please also thoroughly prepare for emergencies such as heavy snow and cold waves by securing snow removal materials and equipment and conducting prior inspections of facilities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.