[Field Report] "Even standing for an hour and a half will go by quickly" ... Heading home with hearts full of excitement

[Financial News] "I have to stand for an hour and a half, but it will go by quickly when I think about seeing my parents."
On the 23rd, a day before the Chuseok holiday, Seoul's major train stations, bus terminals and airports were crowded with people setting out early for their hometowns and travel destinations. The travelers varied, from solo passengers carrying armfuls of gift packages to families with young children and soldiers on leave. Yet excitement was evident on the faces of those heading home.

According to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), a total of 30.93 million people are expected to travel from the 23rd through the 27th, the designated period for special Chuseok transportation measures. Although the figure is down 3.5% from last year's 32.04 million, the average number of daily travelers is expected to reach 11.82 million, up 56.0% from 7.57 million the previous year.
Suseo Station saw a steady stream of travelers heading home from around 10 a.m., marking the first holiday since high-speed rail operations were integrated. Families carrying or holding the hands of young children, pregnant women, and elderly people returning to their hometowns after visiting their children hurried through the station.
Kim, 40, boarded a train bound for Jeonju while carrying a baby in a carrier and holding the hands of two young children. Taking along three children—two five-year-olds and a three-year-old—Kim smiled and said, "The children love their grandmother, so we plan to spend time together and go to the beach. I am also happy at the thought of seeing my parents again after a long time and enjoying some delicious food."
Lee, in his 50s, was headed to Iksan with a bundle of local specialties prepared by his wife. Unable to get a reserved seat, he opted to stand. After finally securing a standing-room ticket by 'fishing' for one, Lee said, "I am excited to see my parents after three months. We plan to visit their graves during the holiday and go to a hanok village with them."
Competition for this year's Chuseok train tickets was indeed fierce. KORAIL said 1.80 million tickets were sold out of 2.14 million available seats, resulting in an 84% reservation rate. That was 21.3 percentage points higher than last year, while the reservation rate for southbound trains that day reached 100.7%. Station staff and nearby merchants agreed, saying, "There are definitely more people than before the integrated operation."
At Seoul Station, Park, 72, whose hometown is Busan, checked for remaining tickets at the station but turned away after being told that only standing-room tickets were available. "After moving to Seoul in my 30s, I wanted to go because I feel sorry that I have not been able to visit my parents' graves often. But with my back hurting, I don't think I could manage the trip standing," Park said with a wry smile. "I will have to ask my children next year."
Kim, in his 30s, who married earlier this year, visited his in-laws' home in Daegu with his wife for the first time. "My family lives in Seoul, so this is the first time I have experienced how fierce the competition for Chuseok tickets can be," he said. "I am looking forward to it because my mother-in-law said she would prepare a delicious feast for her son-in-law."
Inside the station, people carrying large suitcases and gift boxes moved nonstop. A newlywed couple discussed what to have for dinner as they headed down to the platform, while one father hurried to buy dumplings after his son, who was carrying an Iron Man bag, said he was hungry.

Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu was also crowded with people heading to their hometowns. The waiting area filled up early, prompting some passengers to sit on the stairs, while those who had skipped breakfast waited for their buses after grabbing a quick bite such as fish cakes.
Park, 29, an office worker heading to his family home in Busan, took a day off and set out a day early, but opened his laptop in the waiting area when an urgent task came up. "My body is already on vacation, but my mind still feels like it is at work," Park said. "Once I finish this, it will really be the holiday. I want to eat my fill of milmyeon and sashimi, which I have not been able to enjoy lately."
Kim, 21, who is serving at a military unit in Gyeonggi, chose a bus to Busan after failing to get a train ticket. Having spent last Seollal at his unit, Kim said with an excited expression, "I am really looking forward to going home after two months. Unlike taking a break at the unit, spending the holiday with my family at home feels like recharging and filling my heart."

Some people headed to airports to spend the holiday at travel destinations instead of in their hometowns. On the morning of the 23rd, travelers carrying large and small suitcases lined up in front of the check-in counters in the international departures hall at Gimpo International Airport. Some couples waited side by side while pulling their luggage, while groups of three or four gathered with their companions before departure.
Yoon Ki-ryeon, 67, and Cho Hong-geon, 70, were headed to Osaka, Japan. They said they had been traveling freely during the holidays for several years and chose nearby Japan because of the short break. Yoon said, "We plan to enjoy a relaxing time, eating delicious food and shopping."
Kim Hye-rin, 70, who recently celebrated her 70th birthday, boarded a flight to Beijing, China, alone. She decided to travel after her children gave her cash for her milestone birthday and she wanted to spend it meaningfully. Kim said, "Because the holiday is short, I chose China since it is relatively close. I want to see the Great Wall of China and Tiananmen in person, places I have only encountered in the news."
According to the Korea Airports Corporation (KAC), approximately 810,000 passengers are expected to use 13 airports nationwide, excluding Incheon and Muan airports, from the 23rd through the 27th. Gimpo International Airport and Jeju International Airport are expected to see their highest passenger numbers on the first day of the holiday.
[email protected] Kim Ye-ji, Lee Dong-hyeok, Choi Seung-han, Park Seong-hyeon Reporter