Traffic Congestion Nationwide on Seollal Morning... Seoul to Busan Takes 6 Hours 40 Minutes

On the 8th, one day before the Lunar New Year holiday, the full-scale homecoming battle began as vehicles crowded the southbound lanes toward Busan on the Seoul Gyeongbu Expressway, causing traffic congestion. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

On the morning of the Lunar New Year, the 10th, traffic congestion is occurring at various points on major highways nationwide.

According to Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 9 a.m. that day, the estimated travel times by passenger car from Seoul Tollgate to major cities nationwide are 6 hours 40 minutes to Busan, 6 hours 10 minutes to Ulsan, 5 hours 40 minutes to Daegu, 4 hours 20 minutes to Gwangju, 3 hours to Gangneung, and 2 hours 20 minutes to Daejeon.

As of 8 a.m. that day, on the Gyeongbu Expressway heading toward Busan, vehicles are unable to speed up in the sections from Jamwon to Seocho (3 km), Dongtan Junction to near Namsa (12 km), Cheonan to Cheonan Junction (6 km), and near Oksan Rest Area to Oksan (4 km).

On the Seohaean Expressway heading toward Mokpo, vehicles are moving slowly in the sections near Paltan Junction to Hwaseong Rest Area (4 km) and near Seopyeongtaek Junction to Seohaedaegyo Bridge (9 km).

On the Jungbu Expressway heading toward Nami, vehicle volume has increased in the sections from Dongseoul Tollgate to near Sangok Junction (3 km), Majang Junction to Hobup Junction (2 km), Hobup Junction to near Moga (2 km), and near Jincheon to Jincheon (3 km).

On the Yeongdong Expressway heading toward Gangneung, congestion is occurring in the sections near Yeoju Rest Area to Yeoju Junction (3 km), Yongin to near Yangji Tunnel (about 6 km), and Maseong Tunnel to Yongin (about 4 km).

On the Gyeongbu Expressway heading toward Seoul, congestion is also appearing in the sections near Yangjae to Banpo (5 km) and near Giheung to Suwon (3 km).

The Expressway Corporation expects traffic flow to be congested in both directions for outbound and return trips on this day. Outbound traffic congestion is expected to start between 6 and 7 a.m., peak around 1 to 2 p.m., and ease by around 8 to 9 p.m.

Return traffic congestion is expected to begin between 8 and 9 a.m., peak around 3 to 4 p.m., and clear by around 2 to 3 a.m. on the 11th.

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