SEOUL, February 13 (AJP) -South Koreans began heading home in large numbers on Friday, getting an early start on travel ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, which this year forms a five-day break including the weekend.
Train stations, bus terminals and airports across the country grew steadily busier from the morning, as travelers carrying gift boxes, luggage and large suitcases made their way to hometowns for the nation’s most important traditional holiday.
At Seoul Station, crowds filled KTX platforms as passengers queued for high-speed trains bound for major cities such as Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu and Busan. Many long-distance tickets for Friday morning departures were already sold out.
In Suwon Station, commuters and families lined up early with bundles of gifts and oversized carriers, while Daejeon Complex Terminal saw a growing flow of travelers gathering with packages and travel bags, creating a festive atmosphere.
At Incheon’s intercity bus terminal, passengers waited for departures while drinking coffee or having quick meals, their faces showing anticipation. Gwangju Songjeong KTX Station also saw heavy traffic, with most morning trains from Seoul sold out.
On one platform, a woman in her 60s rushed forward to embrace her granddaughter as train doors opened, drawing smiles from nearby travelers.
Similar scenes unfolded nationwide. In Cheongju, families hurried through terminals holding children’s hands, while in Ulsan and Daegu, parents waited to welcome returning sons and daughters. Busan Station was crowded with homebound travelers, return visitors and soldiers on holiday leave.
The Lunar New Year, or Seollal, is traditionally a time for families to reunite, honor ancestors and share meals. Many Koreans travel long distances to their ancestral homes to perform ancestral rites, exchange greetings and spend time with relatives.
The annual homecoming, known as gwiseong, remains one of the largest seasonal migrations in the country, even as younger generations increasingly combine family visits with leisure travel.
“I was worried about getting a ticket, but leaving a day early helped,” said Kim Seung-hee, 42, who was traveling to Gwangju. “I’m excited to eat homemade food with my family.”
Markets were also busy, as shoppers prepared for holiday rituals and family gatherings. At traditional markets in Daejeon, customers bought fish, fruit and ceremonial food ingredients, while bargaining over rising prices.
Major airports saw heavy traffic as travelers mixed homecoming trips with vacations. At Incheon International Airport, long lines formed at check-in counters, while Gimhae and Jeju airports were crowded with both family visitors and tourists.
Jeju Island was expected to receive about 43,000 visitors on Friday, according to the local tourism association.
Some ferry services in the West Sea faced temporary delays due to morning fog, though most routes in southern coastal areas operated normally.
Highway traffic remained manageable in the morning, similar to a typical Friday. Korea Expressway Corp. estimated total vehicle volume at about 5.54 million nationwide for the day.
Traffic toward provincial areas was expected to peak between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., easing after 10 p.m., while congestion toward Seoul was forecast to clear later in the evening.
“With the relatively short holiday, more people are leaving earlier than usual,” an expressway official said. “We expect congestion to build sooner in the afternoon.”
As the holiday approaches, transportation hubs are expected to grow even busier over the weekend, marking the full start of the annual Lunar New Year homecoming tradition.
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