Choi Sang-mok, acting president, deputy prime minister and minister of economy and finance, discusses fire prevention and emergency patient transport measures during a visit to the Seoul Emergency Operations Center in Jung District, Jan. 27, ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays. Yonhap

Acting President Choi Sang-mok conducted inspections of transportation, fire prevention and public safety measures Monday during the extended Lunar New Year holiday, his office said.

Choi received briefings from the head of the state-run Korea Expressway Corp., as millions of people travel to their hometowns for the Lunar New Year, known as Seollal, one of the country's two major traditional holidays, according to the finance ministry.

This year's holiday has been extended to six days, lasting until Thursday, after the government designated Monday as a temporary national holiday.

"Please ensure that transportation management is thorough so that the public can travel safely and comfortably, with this year's Lunar New Year holiday being longer than usual," Choi was quoted by the ministry as saying.

In addition, Choi visited the Seoul Emergency Operations Center, where he was briefed on the potential for emergency cases during the holiday period, the ministry said.

He urged officials to focus their efforts on maintaining the country's emergency medical system, emphasizing the increased movement of people and the heightened risks of various safety incidents. (Yonhap)