Courtesy Photo | Vehicles queue at a toll gate near North Pyeongtaek Oct. 23, 2025, as South Korea...... read more read more
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys will implement off-post road condition restrictions Oct. 4–9 to protect Soldiers, families and civilians during Chuseok, one of the busiest travel periods of the year in Korea.
Chuseok, often called Korean Thanksgiving, runs Oct. 6–8, 2025, and is one of the nation’s most important holidays. Millions of people travel to their hometowns to honor ancestors, share traditional foods such as songpyeon rice cakes, and celebrate the harvest under the year’s largest full moon. The holiday travel surge also creates significant safety risks on the roads.
“Chuseok is a time of joy and family gatherings, but it also brings unique challenges for our community,” said Col. Kristin E. Steinbrecher, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys. “We want everyone to enjoy the holiday responsibly while remembering that safety must remain the top priority.”
Expressways in Area III will be designated “Amber” Oct. 4 and Oct. 7–9, and “Red” Oct. 5–6, when congestion is expected to peak. Road condition levels are normally applied only on base during hazardous weather, but during Chuseok they are extended off post to account for extreme traffic congestion and to ensure travelers remain safe.
Travelers should expect their trips to take two or three times longer than usual during the holiday period, said Dennis Stockwell, director of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security. He noted the drive from Seoul to Busan, normally about five hours, can stretch to 10 hours or more.
Under “Amber” conditions, heavy traffic or other unusual factors are expected to cause long delays. Military vehicles may be restricted to essential missions only, and drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes or use public transportation. Under “Red” conditions, congestion reaches hazardous levels, and both military and civilian travel is limited to essential missions only, with emergency vehicles prioritized.
“Major intersections and highways will be extremely congested, and travelers should expect long delays,” Steinbrecher said. “Plan ahead, perform preventive maintenance checks on your vehicle, and consider public transportation as a safer alternative.”
The garrison’s safety office also recommends carrying an emergency first aid kit, monitoring road conditions closely, and leaving early to avoid peak congestion.
“Enjoy the holiday, but do so responsibly,” Steinbrecher said. “Have fun with your loved ones, but remember that your choices on the road affect not only you, but the entire community.”
For additional information, community members may contact the USAG-H Safety Office at 050-3355-2660.
“As we celebrate this joyous occasion, I extend warm wishes on behalf of the entire Humphreys team,” Steinbrecher said. “Thank you for all that you do in support of this great community, and please have a safe and responsible holiday.”
| Date Taken: | 09.26.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2025 01:28 |
| Story ID: | 549375 |
| Location: | PYEONGTAEK, GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], KR |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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