South Korea Faces Major Traffic Congestion as Extended Holiday Begins
Over 6 million vehicles hit roads on first day of 5-day holiday; Seoul to Busan drive could take up to 9 hours
Quick Look
- South Korea experienced severe traffic congestion on Friday as the first day of an extended holiday began, following the government's designation of Labor Day as a national holiday.
- With up to five consecutive days off including Children's Day on Tuesday, more than 6 million vehicles traveled nationwide, with drives to Busan taking up to 9 hours and 10 minutes.
- Approximately 1.3 million people were also estimated to pass through Incheon International Airport during the holiday period.
AI-generated summary
SEOUL, May 1 (Yonhap) -- Highways across South Korea were congested Friday, as outbound traffic built up on the first day of an extended holiday that began with Labor Day. Earlier this year, the government designated Labor Day as a national holiday, allowing all workers to take the day off. If people take Monday off, they can enjoy up to five days of holiday including the weekend as Children's Day, another national holiday, falls on Tuesday this year. More than 6 million vehicles were estimated to travel nationwide on Friday, with a drive from Seoul to the southeastern port city of Busan expected to take up to 9 hours and 10 minutes, according to the state-run Korea Expressway Corp. A trip to the southwestern city of Gwangju was expected to take seven hours and 30 minutes while a drive to the eastern coastal city of Gangneung was estimated at six hours and 20 minutes at peak times. The agency expected outbound traffic to ease from around 9 to 10 p.m. and inbound traffic to Seoul to ease from 10 to 11 p.m. Some 1.3 million people were estimated to be taking flights departing from or arriving at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, from the previous day through Tuesday amid a rise in demand for international trips during the extended holiday period, according to industry data.
