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South Korean Chuseok holiday safety risks

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2026-09-24 02:52 UTC → 2026-09-26 07:11 UTC · added ~~removed~~

As the Chuseok holiday approaches in South Korea, authorities have issued warnings regarding various safety risks. Medical facilities and orthopedic clinics report a surge in patients injured during grave maintenance and ancestral rites. Statistics show that September is a peak period for such accidents, with approximately 29.2% of bee sting incidents occurring this month. Common injuries include bee stings, cuts from grass mowers, and fractures from falls on uneven terrain. Grass mower accidents are particularly prevalent among individuals in their 60s. Data from 2021–2025 indicates rising safety risks in other areas. Traffic accidents peak the day before the holiday, averaging 750 cases per day—roughly 1.4 times the normal daily average of 541 cases—with a heavy concentration between 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM. While total accident numbers may be lower during the holiday, the severity of casualties is higher, with 166 casualties per 100 accidents compared to 144 during normal periods. Drunk driving also increases, accounting for 8.7% of accidents. Authorities have specifically warned against over-reliance on Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), noting 20 deaths in 30 highway accidents involving the technology over the last five years. Residential fire risks also rise due to holiday food preparation, with nearly 47.2% of these fires caused by negligence. ~~During~~ Recent data from the ~~first day~~ National Fire Agency highlights a significant risk of airway obstruction caused by consuming Songpyeon, traditional rice cakes. Between 2023 and 2025, 225 emergency calls were made regarding airway obstructions during the holiday, ~~multiple incidents were reported. In Seoul’s Gangseo District, a rooftop room fire resulted~~ resulting in ~~the death~~ 162 hospitalizations and 34 cases of ~~a man in his 60s. In Incheon, a villa fire left a man~~ cardiac arrest. The elderly are most vulnerable, with ~~burns~~ those aged 60 and ~~a woman hospitalized~~ older accounting for ~~smoke inhalation,~~ 71% of hospitalizations, while ~~a large fire at a cosmetics manufacturing plant required a level 1 response involving 96 personnel.~~ children under 10 represent 16% of cases. Most incidents occur in private homes.

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