ID :
106176
Fri, 02/12/2010 - 10:04
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https://www.oananews.org//node/106176
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Lunar New Year exodus begins as snow disrupts traffic
SEOUL, Feb. 12 (Yonhap) -- With snow-covered and slippery road conditions disrupting traffic in parts of South Korea, millions of Koreans began journeys to their hometowns across the country on Friday, a day before the start of the three-day Lunar New Year holiday period.
Koreans traditionally gather at their hometowns or ancestral villages during the
Lunar New Year to pay tribute to their ancestors.
More than 25 million people, up about 10 percent from a year ago, are expected to
travel during this year's holiday period, many them choosing to drive, according
to transportation officials.
Nearly 300,000 vehicles are expected to leave Seoul Friday alone and traffic jams
on major roads are expected through the end of the holiday next week due to the
relatively short holiday period and icy roads, highway authorities said.
Two days of the original three-day holiday period fall coincidently on Saturday
and Sunday this year. So it is only three days. It could have been five-day
holidays, if the Lunar New Year's Day holidays are right next to the weekend.
Traffic congestion will likely begin plaguing the main highways linking Seoul to
provincial cities such as Busan and Mokpo in the afternoon. Outbound traffic will
be at its peak early Saturday and inbound traffic from late Sunday, the Korea
Expressway Corporation said.
Weather officials have issued cautions on hazardous road conditions, expecting
snowfall to continue until Saturday morning.
The mountainous Gangwon Province recorded the biggest snowfall. The province's
major mountain pass Daegwallyeong and northern Gangneung received 79.6 and 42
centimeters of snow, respectively, as of 9 a.m. Friday, the Korea Meteorological
Administration said.
Seoul has received 6.3 centimeters of snow since Thursday but more is expected by
Saturday morning. The weather agency also forecast more snow in other regions.
"More snow is forecast till Saturday morning in the central region, including
Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, and inland areas of Jeolla and North Gyeongsang
under the influence of atmospheric pressure," the weather agency said in its
morning report.
(END)
Koreans traditionally gather at their hometowns or ancestral villages during the
Lunar New Year to pay tribute to their ancestors.
More than 25 million people, up about 10 percent from a year ago, are expected to
travel during this year's holiday period, many them choosing to drive, according
to transportation officials.
Nearly 300,000 vehicles are expected to leave Seoul Friday alone and traffic jams
on major roads are expected through the end of the holiday next week due to the
relatively short holiday period and icy roads, highway authorities said.
Two days of the original three-day holiday period fall coincidently on Saturday
and Sunday this year. So it is only three days. It could have been five-day
holidays, if the Lunar New Year's Day holidays are right next to the weekend.
Traffic congestion will likely begin plaguing the main highways linking Seoul to
provincial cities such as Busan and Mokpo in the afternoon. Outbound traffic will
be at its peak early Saturday and inbound traffic from late Sunday, the Korea
Expressway Corporation said.
Weather officials have issued cautions on hazardous road conditions, expecting
snowfall to continue until Saturday morning.
The mountainous Gangwon Province recorded the biggest snowfall. The province's
major mountain pass Daegwallyeong and northern Gangneung received 79.6 and 42
centimeters of snow, respectively, as of 9 a.m. Friday, the Korea Meteorological
Administration said.
Seoul has received 6.3 centimeters of snow since Thursday but more is expected by
Saturday morning. The weather agency also forecast more snow in other regions.
"More snow is forecast till Saturday morning in the central region, including
Seoul and Gyeonggi Province, and inland areas of Jeolla and North Gyeongsang
under the influence of atmospheric pressure," the weather agency said in its
morning report.
(END)
