Highway congestion expected as summer holidays wind down

South Korea is bracing for significant highway congestion on Saturday, August 22, as the summer vacation period draws to a close. The Korea Expressway Corporation forecasts a national traffic volume of approximately 5.5 million vehicles, a figure comparable to typical weekend traffic.

The corporation anticipates heavy traffic flowing out of the Seoul metropolitan area, with an estimated 450,000 vehicles departing, while 470,000 vehicles are expected to enter the capital region. Congestion on roads heading towards Seoul is predicted to begin around 9 to 10 a.m., reach its peak between 4 and 5 p.m., and gradually ease by 7 to 8 p.m.

Conversely, traffic heading away from Seoul is expected to face congestion starting earlier, between 6 and 7 a.m., peaking around noon, and clearing by 6 to 7 p.m. The Yeongdong and Seoul-Yangyang expressways are identified as particular hotspots for traffic delays.

As of 9:10 a.m., specific traffic issues were reported, including an 6-kilometer (3.7 miles) stretch of congestion on the Gyeongbu Expressway towards Seoul near Yangjae. In the opposite direction, an 8-kilometer (5 miles) section between Bukcheonan IC and Cheonan IC was experiencing stop-and-go traffic. The Seohaean Expressway also saw a 3-kilometer (1.8 miles) slowdown towards Mokpo near the Ansan interchange.