"Going Home"... Train Stations and Terminals Crowded with Returning Travelers

Nationwide Highways Severely Congested Due to Return Traffic

On the 30th, during the Lunar New Year holiday, travelers including those returning home are boarding KTX trains at Seoul Station. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-ho Kim] On the second day of the Lunar New Year holiday, the 30th, crowds of homebound travelers continued at major train stations nationwide, express bus and passenger ferry terminals, and airports. In the afternoon, as homebound vehicles surged, severe traffic congestion occurred on various major highways.

According to the Korea Railroad ticket reservation system on the 30th, all train tickets departing from Seoul to Busan from the afternoon to night were sold out.

Major stations and bus terminals in other cities such as Daejeon Station and Seodaejeon Station were also crowded with homebound travelers from the morning. In Daejeon, some bus tickets available for purchase on-site remained, but KTX and SRT seats were almost sold out.

At Incheon Port Coastal Passenger Terminal, from early morning, homebound travelers wearing masks and carrying large and small bundles in both hands headed to nearby islands. It is expected that about 5,000 people will use the coastal passenger terminal in one day.

Major terminals and train stations in the Jeonbuk region were bustling with tourists and homebound travelers. Busan Station, Dongdaegu Station, and Dongdaegu Complex Transfer Center were also crowded with homebound travelers carrying gift packages.

In particular, Jeju International Airport was crowded with homebound travelers and tourists from the morning. According to the Jeju Tourism Association, following about 47,000 visitors the previous day, about 43,000 people are expected to visit Jeju on this day as well.

Famous mountains such as Hallasan in Jeju, Deogyusan in Muju, and Palgongsan in Daegu were crowded with family outings and hikers. Citizens who visited Ganjeolgot in Ulju-gun, Ulsan, a famous sunrise spot, enjoyed the holiday by strolling along the coastal walking trail or taking commemorative photos with large mailboxes installed on the coast as the background.

Ulsan Taehwagang National Garden, Jeju Seongsan Ilchulbong and Cheonjiyeon Waterfall, Gyeongju Bomun Complex, and Hwangridan-gil also attracted tourists and outing groups enjoying the holiday. Vehicles lined up on Jeju coastal roads as people enjoyed driving.

At the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, it was bustling with family outing groups enjoying various experiences and performances.

In the afternoon, as homebound vehicles surged, traffic congestion occurred on various major highways. According to Korea Expressway Corporation, on the Gyeongbu Line heading toward Busan, severe congestion is ongoing near Hannam to Seocho, Singal Junction to Suwon, Dongtan Junction to Namsa, Anseong Junction to Anseong, Cheonan Rest Area to Cheongju Junction, and Daejeon to Biryong Junction.

On the Seohaean Line heading toward Mokpo, vehicles repeatedly stopped and went near Geumcheon, Sunsan Tunnel, and the section from Seopyeongtaek Junction to Seohaedaegyo Bridge. On the Yeongdong Line, vehicles lined up near Saemal toward Gangneung, near Wonju, near Hobeop Junction, near Yongin to Yangji Tunnel, and between Maseong Tunnel and Yongin, as well as near Yeoju Junction on the Jungbu Naeryuk Line heading toward Yangpyeong.

Traffic congestion on the homebound route is expected to peak around 3 to 4 p.m. and ease from around 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, traditional markets, major department stores, and large marts were also lively during the Lunar New Year holiday. Daegu Seomun Market, Daejeon Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market, Jeonju Central Market, and Nambu Market were bustling with citizens buying ritual items and gifts.

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