The Seoul Metropolitan Government has announced its comprehensive '2026 Chuseok Comprehensive Measures', aimed at ensuring citizen safety, stabilizing public livelihood, and providing daily conveniences during the upcoming holiday period. This year's Chuseok holiday spans four days from September 24 to 27. Because the holiday period is relatively short compared to previous years, travel and family visits are expected to concentrate heavily, prompting Seoul city authorities to implement intensive multi-sector countermeasures.

Extension of Public Transportation and Extended Operating Hours

To accommodate returning citizens as they flood back into the city, public transportation operations will be significantly extended and expanded. On September 26 and 27, the last public buses and subway trains passing through major transport hubs will have their operating hours extended.

For city buses, last buses running toward the final stops will pass through major train stations (Seoul, Cheongnyangni, Yeongdeungpo, Yongsan, and Suseo Stations) and express/intercity bus terminals (Seoul Express Bus Terminal, Dong Seoul Terminal, and Nambu Terminal) until 1:00 AM the following morning. Similarly, subway lines 1 through 8 (specifically sections operated by Seoul Metro), Line 9, Ui-Sinseol Line, and Sillim Line will run additional services—totaling 128 extra trips over the two days (64 trips per day)—so that the final trains arrive at their terminal stations by 1:00 AM. Night owl buses (N-buses) will also operate normally throughout the holiday period.

Furthermore, express and intercity buses departing from Seoul will see an increase of 751 trips per day from September 23 to 27, expanding daily transportation capacity by an average of 25,000 passengers. To facilitate smoother traffic flow during this peak travel window, the operation hours of the Gyeongbu Expressway bus-only lane will also be extended until 1:00 AM the following morning, starting from 7:00 AM. 

24-Hour Emergency Medical Services and Healthcare Support

To prevent any medical vacuum during the holiday, emergency medical services will remain robust. A total of 51 emergency medical institutions and 23 emergency-operating hospitals across Seoul will maintain normal 24-hour operations. Specialized pediatric care will also be secured, with 8 designated 'Our Child Safe Hospitals' (for semi-emergency pediatric care) and 3 'Our Child Specialized Emergency Centers' (for severe and critical pediatric care) operating around the clock.

Throughout the four-day holiday, a cumulative total of approximately 6,036 hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies will open their doors to the public, averaging around 613 medical clinics and 896 pharmacies operating each day to handle minor ailments and prescriptions.

Vulnerable Livelihood Support and Social Welfare

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is stepping up welfare provisions to ensure that vulnerable populations are not left behind during the festive season. Welfare consolation grants of 30,000 KRW per household will be distributed to approximately 250,000 households receiving livelihood and medical benefits under basic livelihood security programs. Consolation money and goods worth 10,000 KRW will also be provided to 774 elderly residents living in senior care facilities and 1,806 individuals residing in residential facilities for people with disabilities.

Free meal services will continue without interruption for low-income seniors aged 60 and older, children at risk of skipping meals, and the homeless. For over 42,000 seniors requiring care and 73,000 households deemed at high risk of lonely death (isolgeum), welfare workers will proactively check safety status via regular phone calls. If there is no response, caseworkers and local care teams will conduct direct home visits to verify safety.

Economic Vitality and Resident Information Services

To stimulate the local economy and ease household burdens, the city has issued 265.0 billion KRW worth of Seoul Love Gift Certificates and is actively supporting traditional market discount events.

Comprehensive Chuseok-related lifestyle information, including real-time updates on transport, medical services, and cultural events, will be available starting September 16 through the official Seoul Chuseok Holiday Comprehensive Information website (www.seoul.go.kr/story/thanksgiving) and Seoul Metropolitan Government’s social media channels. Additionally, the 120 Dasan Call Center will operate 24 hours a day throughout the holiday period to handle citizen inquiries and provide immediate assistance.

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