South Korea Braces for Sunday Traffic Despite 30-Degree Heat; Seoul-Bound Travel to Peak in Afternoon

South Korea anticipates a moderate decrease in highway traffic on Sunday, even as summer-like temperatures hover around 30 degrees Celsius (86 F). The Korea Expressway Corporation forecasts that approximately 4.6 million vehicles will travel the nation's highways throughout the day.

Travel patterns indicate a significant flow towards the capital, with an estimated 440,000 vehicles heading into the Seoul metropolitan area. Conversely, 380,000 vehicles are expected to depart from Seoul and its surrounding regions to other parts of the country. This directional traffic is typical for a Sunday as people return from weekend trips.

Congestion is predicted to intensify for vehicles traveling towards Seoul. The heaviest traffic is expected to begin around 10-11 a.m. and reach its peak between 4-5 p.m. Delays for those heading to the capital should gradually decrease, with most congestion expected to clear by around 10 p.m. Traffic heading away from Seoul is generally expected to flow more smoothly.