Seoul to keep 6,000 clinics, pharmacies open during Chuseok

As millions of families prepare to travel across Korea for the annual Chuseok holiday, Seoul city officials have announced that over 6,000 medical clinics and pharmacies will remain open from Thursday to Sunday. The decision aims to alleviate potential medical shortages during the four-day break, ensuring that residents can access essential healthcare services without disrupting their travel plans.

The initiative is supported by a 24-hour emergency response system, which will work in tandem with the open medical institutions to prevent hospital emergency rooms from becoming overwhelmed with noncritical cases. This approach will allow both minor ailments and life-threatening conditions to be managed smoothly during the holiday period.

On average, approximately 1,547 medical institutions — consisting of 642 clinics and 905 pharmacies — will be operational daily across the capital. For residents dealing with common illnesses such as cold symptoms or indigestion, the city encourages visiting neighborhood clinics rather than rushing to hospital emergency rooms. This preventive measure aims to distribute the workload among medical professionals and reduce the strain on emergency services.

In addition to maintaining open clinics and pharmacies, basic over-the-counter remedies, including fever reducers and pain relievers, will remain continuously accessible across 6,926 designated locations. This ensures that residents can easily obtain necessary medications without having to seek medical assistance in person.