How do shops, transit, and banks operate during Seollal and Chuseok holidays?
I'm about to spend my first Seollal holiday in Korea and I don't know if marts and restaurants close that day, or whether the subway and buses run as usual. If banks and government offices are closed too, I'm worried about how to handle anything urgent. I'd like to know what foreigners should prepare in advance and any customs you only see during these holidays.
1 Answer
On the actual days of Seollal and Chuseok, big marts, department stores, banks, and government offices are mostly closed, and many neighborhood restaurants take the day off too. Convenience stores and some large chain cafes and fast-food spots stay open, and subways and buses still run, but train (KORAIL) and express-bus tickets sell out fast around the holiday, so book ahead. It helps to shop for groceries in advance and keep a little cash on hand, and for urgent medical needs you can find pharmacies and clinics open during holidays via the emergency medical portal or by calling 119. You'll also see customs like ancestral rites (차례), bowing to elders (세배), and eating tteokguk at Seollal or songpyeon at Chuseok.