What is Chuseok?
Chuseok, also known as Korean Thanksgiving Day, is an important holiday celebrated on the ninth month of the lunar calendar this year. On the days before and after Chuseok Koreans return to their ancestral hometowns to pay respects and celebrate with family. The travel causes one of the biggest traffic jams of the year as people often take the roads to reach the areas outside of Seoul.
Safety Hazards and Concerns:
- Understand the elevated risk of traffic hazards during this time period, major intersections/highways will be extremely congested.
- Monitor the road conditions, and if travelling outside of Seoul, be prepared to be stopped in traffic for long periods of time.
- When making travel arrangements, plan ahead and conduct Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services (PMCS) prior to departure.
- Keep a Warning Triangle and Emergency First Aid Kit in your vehicle.
- Look for alternative methods of travel such as Public Transportation (Train, Subway or Bus).
- Minimize all tactical vehicle movement during the holiday period.
2019 Chuseok Holiday Road Condition Matrix
- GREEN: Highway conditions are normal.
- AMBER: Military vehicles, other than those required for essential business, will not be driven on highways. POV owners need to use extreme caution and are encouraged to observe the rules established for military vehicles. Commanders in the rank of O-3 or GS-10 may authorize mission on back of dispatch.
- RED: Military vehicles, other than those designated as on emergency/essential business, will not be driven. O-5 / GS-13 or above may authorize usage for business that cannot be postponed without jeopardizing military requirements. Back side of dispatch must be signed by person authorizing mission.
- BLACK: All U.S. Government vehicles are prohibited from movement. Commanders in the rank of O-6 and above must personally authorize the use of emergency vehicles after the appropriate risk assessment and mitigation actions are considered.
Related Documents:
Eighth Army Safety Gram Chuseok Holiday (Pdf) [PDF]
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