South Korea is bracing for a challenging Lunar New Year holiday period, with traffic congestion expected to peak on for those traveling away from Seoul and on for return journeys. The Korea Expressway Corporation forecasts that travel times will be significantly extended compared to last year, driven by a shorter holiday and an anticipated increase in overall traffic volume.
The holiday, known as Seol, begins over the weekend and runs through Wednesday, . Traditionally a time for family reunions and ancestral rites, this year’s holiday is expected to see 4.85 million vehicles on the nation’s roads on alone, including 460,000 cars leaving the greater Seoul area and 370,000 entering it. This represents a 14.1% increase from the 460 million vehicles recorded during the same period last year.
The reduced length of the holiday is a key factor contributing to the anticipated congestion. The Korea Expressway Corporation predicts that a drive from Seoul to Busan, a distance of 330 kilometers, will take approximately seven hours on , a 15-minute increase from the 6 hours and 45 minutes recorded last year. Travel to Gwangju, 260 kilometers southwest of Seoul, is expected to take 5 hours and 40 minutes, a 20-minute increase. Return journeys will also be impacted, with the trip from Busan to Seoul estimated at 10 hours – an hour longer than last year – and Gwangju to Seoul taking 9 hours and 30 minutes, 55 minutes longer than in 2025.
Authorities are implementing a range of measures to mitigate the congestion and ensure traveler safety. These include increased staffing at highway service areas, real-time traffic information dissemination, and the operation of additional lanes on key highway sections. The government will also waive tolls on highways from to in an effort to encourage smoother traffic flow.
Beyond traffic management, efforts are underway to enhance traveler convenience. Additional rest areas will be available, and discounts are being offered on regional tourism programs. Accessibility for travelers with disabilities is also being prioritized, with increased availability of wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
The transportation sector is preparing for increased demand across all modes. KTX, SRT high-speed rail, buses, airlines, and ferries are all increasing service frequency and capacity, with a 12.7% increase in overall transportation capacity and a 9.7% increase in available seats compared to typical levels. To cater to changing travel patterns, including reverse migration and visits to less populated areas, discounted fares are being offered on rail travel to these regions.
Increased international travel is also anticipated, prompting measures to alleviate congestion at airports. International departure procedures are being expedited, temporary parking facilities are being established, and free parking will be available for families with multiple children and individuals with disabilities from to . Facial recognition technology is being deployed at select departure gates to streamline the check-in process.
Safety remains a paramount concern. Comprehensive inspections of transportation infrastructure and vehicles are being conducted. Artificial intelligence (AI) is being utilized to identify and monitor high-risk accident locations, with warning messages displayed on roadside electronic signs. AI is also being employed to analyze highway patrol footage to detect and report traffic violations, such as bus lane infringements and improper cargo loading.
Given the forecast for potentially hazardous winter weather, including snow and ice, authorities are preparing for challenging conditions. Roads will be pre-treated with de-icing agents, and speed limits will be reduced by 20-50% in areas prone to icing. Travelers are advised to monitor weather forecasts and road conditions via navigation apps and the Road Plus website, and to exercise caution, particularly on bridges and in tunnels.
The Seoul-Gyeonggi branch of the Korea Expressway Corporation is also implementing specific measures to manage traffic flow within the capital region. These include enhanced guidance for traffic rerouting, operation of temporary bus lanes, and provision of real-time traffic information for alternative routes. The branch urges drivers to check traffic conditions before departing, to take frequent breaks, and to adhere to all safety regulations.
