17,000 Hospitals and Pharmacies in Seoul to Remain Open During Chuseok Holiday

Safety Inspections for Facilities and Food to Be Completed Before the Holiday
Express and Intercity Buses Departing Seoul to Increase by 17%
No Extension of Subway Hours Despite the Long Holiday

In preparation for emergency patients during the Chuseok holiday, 17,000 hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in Seoul will remain open. The city plans to complete safety inspections of subway stations, bus terminals, and traditional markets, as well as checks on the origins of agricultural, marine, and livestock products before the holiday begins.

On September 24, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the "2025 Chuseok Comprehensive Plan" containing these measures. The plan will be implemented from October 2 to October 10 and consists of 15 initiatives across three main areas: citizen safety, livelihood stability, and daily convenience.

On the 13th, ahead of the Chuseok holiday, the southbound lanes of the Gyeongbu Expressway viewed from Jamwon IC in Seocho-gu, Seoul, are congested as returning holiday travelers and commuters crowd the road. 2024.09.13 Photo by Kang Jinhyung

First, in the area of citizen safety, 49 emergency medical institutions and 21 hospitals with emergency rooms in Seoul will operate 24 hours a day during the holiday to prevent any gaps in medical care. Additionally, eight "Our Child Safe Hospitals" and three specialized pediatric emergency centers will be designated and operated to respond to pediatric emergencies.

For patients with minor conditions who may have difficulty accessing emergency rooms, two Seoul-type urgent care centers and four specialized hospitals for specific diseases will also remain open throughout the holiday. Information on hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies open during the holiday can be found on the "2025 Chuseok Holiday Comprehensive Information" website, mobile app, and by telephone.

Fire hazard inspections will be conducted at nursing hospitals, senior care facilities, jjokbangchon (small room communities), residential greenhouses, and other public facilities. Safety checks for roads, road infrastructure, bus terminals, and traditional markets will also be completed before the holiday to prevent accidents in advance.

By October 2, the day before the Chuseok holiday begins, the city will conduct a comprehensive inspection of origin labeling at approximately 4,000 businesses handling agricultural, marine, and livestock products, including traditional markets and large supermarkets. Hygiene inspections will also be completed at 1,150 establishments, including manufacturers and sellers of high-demand holiday items such as rice cakes and meat, as well as restaurants using ingredients with a risk of food poisoning.

In the area of livelihood stability, the city will implement targeted support measures to ensure that vulnerable groups can enjoy a warm Chuseok. Households receiving basic living support will receive 30,000 won per household, and seniors in nursing facilities and residents with disabilities in care facilities will receive 10,000 won per person.

During the holiday, meal services at senior centers and group cafeterias, as well as the delivery of lunch boxes and side dishes, will continue without interruption for approximately 32,000 low-income seniors aged 60 or older and 26,000 children at risk of missing meals. Homeless shelters will also provide three meals a day throughout the holiday.

The city has also established a system to prevent social isolation among vulnerable groups. For seniors at risk, life support workers and dedicated social workers will regularly call to check in, and if they do not answer, they will visit in person. Severely disabled individuals will receive safety monitoring and daily living assistance from disability activity support workers.

For the ten major Chuseok holiday food items, supply will be increased to 105% of normal levels. The Seoul Sarang Gift Certificate for Chuseok has been issued in each district from September 16 to 18 with a 7% discount rate, which is 2 percentage points higher than usual.

To improve daily convenience for citizens, the number of express and intercity buses departing from Seoul will be increased by 17% compared to normal levels from October 3 to 9 during the Chuseok holiday. This will allow an additional 18,000 passengers to be transported per day. The operation hours for the Gyeongbu Expressway bus-only lanes will also be extended from the usual 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. the following day.

Subway trains will operate on the regular holiday schedule, and late-night N buses will run at normal levels. Since the long holiday is expected to spread out the return traffic, the last train times for public transportation will not be extended during this year's Chuseok holiday.

For citizens visiting memorial facilities during the holiday, safety inspections and environmental maintenance will be conducted at 16 municipal funeral facilities in the metropolitan area, and city buses will also run more frequently. Bus routes 201, 262, and 270, which pass through the Mangwoo Historical and Cultural Park, will each operate 41 additional times per day. At the Yongmi-ri cemetery, two circular shuttle bus routes with four buses will be in operation.

Jung Sanghun, Director of Planning and Coordination at the Seoul Metropolitan Government, stated, "We plan to implement a systematic response in cooperation with relevant agencies so that both Seoul citizens and those traveling to and from their hometowns can have a safe and enjoyable Chuseok holiday." He added, "In particular, during the extended holiday period, we will pay close attention to protecting citizens' health and safety, ensure that vulnerable groups are not left in policy blind spots, and make every effort to support the livelihood economy."

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