Subscribe
E-Paper
 |
| A child enjoys swinging from her parents' hands as they walk to board a train at Seoul Station, Thursday, to travel to their hometown for the Lunar New Year holiday. / Yonhap |
By Chung Hyun-chae
The mass exodus of people from Seoul and other major cities began Thursday afternoon in time for the Lunar New Year long weekend, clogging roads nationwide.
About 31 million people, up by 4.5 percent from last year, are expected to travel during the holiday which will last until Monday, according to the Korea Transport Institute (KOTI). Koreans traditionally return to their hometowns to spend the holiday with their families.
The survey said more than 85 percent of them are expected to use their cars, while 11 percent will take buses and 3.6 percent trains.
"As traffic jams are likely to be most severe Thursday evening when the most homebound people are expected to hit the road after work, it is recommended to depart after 3 p.m. Friday," a Korea Express Corporation official said. "The roads will also be congested on Lunar New Year with those returning to Seoul."
The corporation plans to use drones to monitor traffic during the holiday. More traffic information is available through broadcasts.
For Seoul residents' convenience, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will extend the operating hours of subways and city buses to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The city government also plans to operate 70 late-night buses running until 5 a.m. and 2,400 night-only taxis running from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. during the holiday.
Emergency hotline
Thousands of hospitals, clinics and pharmacies will be open throughout the country during the holiday.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 4,459 hospitals and clinics and 5,405 drugstores will be on duty. Also, 535 emergency rooms nationwide will also offer medical services around the clock.
In the case of a medical emergency, the 24-hour hotlines 119 or 120 Dasan Call Center will help people locate the nearest medical facility or doctors.
The ministry's website mohw.go.kr lists hospitals and pharmacies open during the holiday.
Weather
The fierce cold that has gripped the nation this week will abate during the four-day holiday, according to the weather agency.
While sporadic snow is expected in some parts of Seoul and Gyeonggi and Gangwon provinces from Thursday night to Friday morning, most parts of the country will see clear skies throughout the long weekend.
