One-Twelfth of the Day, Spent on the Road
According to a survey by the Seoul Institute, as of 2023, Seoul residents spend an average of 34.5 minutes on a one-way commute to work or school.
This means that a round trip takes well over one hour.
In fact, about 14% of all citizens-meaning 14 out of every 100 people-spend more than two hours a day just commuting.
This amounts to spending one-twelfth of the 24 hours in a day "on the road."
Every morning, people squeeze themselves into crowded subways and buses, and after work, they return home already exhausted. This pattern repeats itself every day.
The survey also found that the proportion of people spending more than two hours a day commuting is especially high in Seoul’s outskirts or in areas with poor transportation.
Yangcheon District is in the southwest, and Gangdong District is at the eastern edge, so it takes a considerable amount of time to reach major business districts from these areas.
Gangbuk District and Dobong District are at the northern edge of Seoul, which means it can take more than an hour to get to downtown or the Gangnam area.
For residents of these areas, commuting is not just about getting from one place to another-it’s like embarking on a “small journey” every morning.
Longer Commutes, Declining Life Satisfaction
According to a study published in a journal by the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH),
the longer the commute, the lower the satisfaction with family and social life, as well as with one’s job.
It’s not just about feeling tired-long commutes can have a direct negative impact on physical health.
This can lead to back and neck pain, obesity, increased blood pressure, and higher levels of stress hormones. In severe cases, the risk of cardiovascular disease also increases.
The Longer the Commute, the Less You Move and Sleep
Another study found that people who work more than 40 hours a week and spend more than five hours a week commuting
are much more likely to experience insufficient physical activity and sleep problems.
Because so much time is lost to commuting, there is less time to walk or exercise, and accumulated fatigue after work severely limits evening activities.
As a result, physical fitness tends to decline and it becomes easier to gain weight.
On top of that, getting home late pushes back bedtime, which shortens sleep duration and reduces the amount of deep sleep.
Lack of sleep not only reduces concentration and work efficiency the next day, but can also lead to weakened immunity, chronic fatigue, and even depression in the long run.
About 2 Million Won Disappearing on the Road
According to an analysis by the Korea Transport Institute, the economic value of one hour of commuting is about 940,000 won per month.
A two-hour round trip means losing 1.88 million won every month.
Nevertheless, due to soaring housing prices, many people are forced to endure long commutes as a last resort.
Homes Getting Farther, Commutes Getting Longer
According to the Seoul Institute, since 2010, the growth and increasing complexity of cities in the greater Seoul area, combined with rising housing prices,
have led many people to settle in the outskirts of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, far from their workplaces.
As a result, long-distance and long-duration commutes have become an unavoidable reality.
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Edit Maeng Jiae mjiae@asiae.co.kr
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Reporter Yun Seulgi seul97@asiae.co.kr
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