Seoul Extends Subway to 1 a.m. and Boosts Emergency Services for Lunar New Year
Updated (4 articles)
Extended Transit Hours Cover Holiday Travel Surge Seoul will run subway and bus services until 1 a.m. on February 17‑18, the last two days of the Lunar New Year holiday, extending the regular schedule to accommodate returning travelers [1]. Seoul Metro adds 128 extra trips on Lines 1‑8, 9, Ui‑Sinseol and Sillim, ensuring final trains reach destinations at 1 a.m. [1]. City buses are rescheduled to serve five major train stations and three main bus terminals at the same hour, and express and intercity buses departing Seoul increase by 20 percent, adding capacity for roughly 21,000 extra passengers per day [1].
24‑Hour Emergency Medical Facilities Ensure Continuous Health Coverage Seventy‑two emergency medical facilities operate around the clock throughout the February 16‑18 holiday period [1]. An average of 2,600 hospitals and pharmacies remain open each day, providing continuous health services to residents and visitors [1]. The 24‑hour coverage aims to address potential health incidents during the extended travel and celebration window [1].
Holiday Schedule Expanded by Weekend Alignment This year’s Lunar New Year holiday runs February 16‑18, but the preceding weekend adds two extra days, prompting the city to broaden public‑service hours [1]. The three‑day holiday combined with the weekend creates a five‑day period during which transit and medical services are intensified [1]. Officials cite the alignment as necessary to manage the expected surge in domestic travel and ensure public safety [1].
Timeline
Dec 4, 2025 – Seoul and surrounding Gyeonggi Province receive the season’s first heavy snowfall, with accumulation exceeding 5 cm per hour; the interior ministry raises the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters to Level 1 and issues a disaster alert for traffic disruptions, while crews begin spraying calcium chloride on streets to prevent icy conditions [4][3].
Dec 5, 2025 (early morning) – A 12‑car pile‑up occurs near Mokdong Bridge at 5:24 a.m., injuring two occupants, as sub‑zero temperatures and icy roads cause multiple accidents across the city despite de‑icing efforts [2].
Dec 5, 2025 (morning rush) – The Seoul Metropolitan Government adds 20 extra subway runs and extends morning bus dispatch by 30 minutes to relieve congestion from the heavy snow, and all road closures imposed overnight are lifted, restoring normal traffic flow [3][2].
Feb 16‑18, 2026 – During the three‑day Lunar New Year holiday (extended by the preceding weekend), subway and bus services operate until 1 a.m. on Feb 17‑18, with 128 additional subway trips on Lines 1‑8, 9, Ui‑Sinseol and Sillim and a 20 % increase in express and intercity buses, adding capacity for roughly 21,000 extra passengers daily [1].
Feb 16‑18, 2026 – Seventy‑two emergency medical facilities remain open 24 hours, and an average of 2,600 hospitals and pharmacies operate each day throughout the holiday, ensuring continuous health coverage for residents and travelers [1].