SEOUL, January 26 (AJP) - More than four million families are estimated to leave Seoul on Sunday to visit relatives in their hometowns for the Lunar New Year holiday, creating heavy traffic congestion on expressways and country roads nationwide.
"Seollal," the Korean Lunar New Year, is one of the country's most significant holidays, drawing families to the home of the eldest member, often grandparents, to share traditional food and participate in ancestral rites. The Confucian ritual involves offering food and drinks to deceased ancestors in exchange for blessings of prosperity and good fortune.
According to the Korea Expressway Corporation, as of 5 p.m. on Sunday, approximately 4.25 million vehicles were on the move nationwide. Among these, 410,000 vehicles were leaving the Seoul metropolitan area for other regions, while 300,000 vehicles were heading back to the capital.
Travel times from Seoul to major cities have significantly increased due to the volume of traffic. Estimated driving times include five hours to Busan, four hours and 30 minutes to Ulsan, four hours to Daegu and Mokpo, three hours and 40 minutes to Gwangju, two hours and 10 minutes to Daejeon, and two hours and 40 minutes to Gangneung.
Traffic for outbound travelers peaked between noon and 1 p.m. and is expected to ease by 10 to 11 p.m. Meanwhile, return traffic is forecasted to peak between 4 and 5 p.m. and gradually clear by 11 p.m.
The Korea Expressway Corporation attributed the high number of vehicles to the extended holiday period, which allows families more time to travel long distances and reconnect with loved ones.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.
