How South Korea is Orchestrating a Seamless Great Migration This Lunar New Year

As the crisp air of February settles over the Korean Peninsula, a familiar hum of anticipation begins to vibrate through the streets of the capital. It is February 5, 2026, and while the rest of the world moves at its usual frantic pace, Seoul is bracing for one of the most significant cultural events of the year: Lunar New Year, or Seollal. This year, the holiday carries an even deeper weight, as the traditional three-day observance is bolstered by a preceding weekend, creating a generous five-day window for families to reunite, honor their roots, and share in the warmth of tradition.

However, moving millions of people across a modern metropolis and into the rural heartlands is no small feat of engineering. Recognizing the logistical mountain that lies ahead, the Seoul City Government has unveiled a comprehensive suite of public transit and emergency health measures designed to ensure that the only thing citizens have to worry about is whether they brought enough gifts for their relatives.

Navigating the Midnight Rush

For many, the hardest part of the Lunar New Year holiday isn’t the long drive—it’s the final leg of the journey back home after a late-night dinner or a long-distance bus ride. To combat the stress of “beating the clock,” the city has announced a significant expansion of late-night services. On the final two days of the holiday, February 17 and 18, the city will transform into a 24-hour organism.

The heart of this effort lies within the Seoul Metro. Trains operating on Subway Lines 1-8, along with the high-speed Line 9, and the newer Ui-Sinseol Line and Sillim Line, will see their schedules extended. Instead of the usual midnight wind-down, these lines will operate until 1 a.m. the following morning. This isn’t just a minor tweak; the city is adding a staggering 128 additional runs to the schedule. This ensures that travelers arriving back at major hubs late at night aren’t left stranded on cold platforms, but are instead greeted by the familiar chime of a waiting train.

But the rail lines are only half the story. The city bus network is also getting a festive makeover. Schedules have been meticulously readjusted to synchronize with the arrival of major intercity transport. Buses passing through five critical gateways—including the iconic Seoul Station and the three primary bus terminals—will continue their routes until the 1 a.m. cutoff. It is a synchronized dance of steel and rubber, all choreographed to get the weary traveler to their front door.

Bridging the Distance: Intercity Travel

While the city’s internal veins are pumping faster, the arteries leading out of Seoul are also seeing a massive surge in capacity. Between February 13 and February 18, the number of express and intercity buses departing from the capital will be increased by 20 percent compared to standard operating times.

This boost in service is expected to accommodate an additional 21,000 passengers per day. Whether you are heading to the coastal beauty of Gangneung or the historic streets of Gyeongju, the goal is clear: accessibility. The Seoul City Government understands that Seollal is more than just a break from work; it is a time when Koreans head back to their hometowns to visit their ancestors’ graves and perform the traditional rites of remembrance. By increasing the frequency of these departures, the city reduces the “ticketing war” that often defines the weeks leading up to the holiday.

A Safety Net for the Festivities

No holiday is without its hiccups. Between the flurry of cooking Tteokguk (rice cake soup) and the inevitable minor accidents that happen when a dozen cousins are playing together in one living room, medical readiness is paramount. The city’s health and medical sector is going into overdrive to ensure that “emergency” doesn’t turn into “catastrophe.”

During the holiday period, 72 emergency medical facilities across Seoul will remain open 24 hours a day. This includes 51 emergency medical institutions and 21 hospitals with dedicated emergency rooms that will operate without a moment’s pause. But the support doesn’t stop at the ER doors. On any given day during the break, an average of 2,600 hospitals and pharmacies will be open for business.

This widespread availability of pharmacies and clinics is a vital relief valve for the city’s major hospitals, ensuring that those with minor ailments—like a sudden bout of indigestion from too many holiday treats or a seasonal flu—can find care without clogging up the trauma centers. It provides a psychological safety net, allowing families to celebrate with the peace of mind that professional help is just a few blocks away.

The Human Spirit Behind the Logistics

Beyond the spreadsheets and the additional train runs, there is a deeply human element to these measures. The Seoul City Government‘s plan is a reflection of the value placed on family and tradition in Korean society. By extending services and bolstering medical care, the city is essentially saying that the time spent with loved ones is sacred, and the government’s role is to remove the friction of modern life to allow that tradition to flourish.

The scenes at Seoul bus terminals this year will likely mirror the “file photos” of years past—crowds of people carrying brightly wrapped gift sets, children in colorful Hanbok, and the palpable energy of a nation on the move. But behind that chaos is a refined system of comprehensive holiday measures that keep the gears turning.

As we look toward the middle of February, the message to Seoulites is clear: Go home. Visit your parents. Bow to your elders. Eat well. The city has taken care of the rest. Whether you are catching the last Sillim Line train at 12:45 a.m. or picking up a prescription at a local pharmacy on a Sunday afternoon, the infrastructure of the capital is standing guard over your holiday.

In a world that often feels increasingly disconnected, the “Great Migration” of Seollal remains a powerful testament to the enduring strength of the Korean family. And in 2026, thanks to these thoughtful city measures, that journey home is just a little bit easier for everyone.

Looking Ahead

As the holiday concludes on February 18, the city will once again transition back to its standard rhythm. But for those five days, the focus remains entirely on the safe passage and well-being of its citizens. The Seoul City Government will continue to monitor traffic patterns and medical needs in real-time, proving that even a city of 10 million can feel like a small, supportive community when it matters most.

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