Over 6,000 Clinics and Pharmacies Open During Chuseok Holiday... Where to Go?

Seoul to Operate 24-Hour Emergency Medical System
2,568 Clinics and Hospitals Open During the Holiday
Six Municipal Hospitals and Twelve Public Health Centers Available
Seventy-Four Emergency Rooms and 24-Hour Emergency Hotline

During the Chuseok holiday, you do not have to go straight to the emergency room if you suddenly develop a fever or stomachache. For mild symptoms, essential over-the-counter medicines can be purchased at nearby convenience stores, while medical clinics and hospitals open during the holidays are available for those who need medical care. Seventy-four emergency rooms for serious and critical patients will operate around the clock, and emergency response systems for children as well as high-risk pregnant women and newborns will also remain in place throughout the holiday period.

To that end, from September 24 to September 27, the Seoul Metropolitan Government will implement an emergency medical care system so that residents can access medical institutions suitable for their symptoms and situations. In addition to designating and operating a total of 6,189 clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies open during the holiday, city-run hospitals and public health centers will also be operating during this period.

A pharmacy in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by The Asia Business Daily

Mild Symptoms? Visit a Nearby Site

If you need medication for mild symptoms during the holiday, you can buy it at nearby convenience stores and other locations. There are 6,926 locations in Seoul selling a total of 13 essential over-the-counter medications, including digestive aids, fever and pain relievers, cold medicine, and patches.

For patients with mild conditions such as indigestion or a cold who require medical care, "open clinics and hospitals" will be in operation nearby. These facilities will alleviate the inconvenience of seeking medical care during the holiday and help prevent emergency rooms from becoming overcrowded by directing minor patients elsewhere. Throughout the entire holiday, a total of 6,189 clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies will be operating, with a daily average of 1,547 locations (642 clinics/hospitals and 905 pharmacies) available to the public.

The city and district-level medical service systems will also operate to offset closures at private institutions. Six municipal hospitals and twelve public health centers will provide services for one to two days during the holiday period.

On the day of Chuseok, September 25, public health centers in Gangnam, Gangdong, Gangbuk, Gangseo, Gwanak, Guro, Nowon, Dobong, Dongdaemun, Seongbuk, and Yongsan districts will offer outpatient care from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Seocho District Public Health Center will be open on September 26.

From Sick Children at Night to Emergency and Critical Patients

The pediatric care system, which can be used if a child suddenly gets sick during the holiday period, will operate throughout the holidays. Eight "Our Child Safe Hospitals" and three "Our Child Pediatric Emergency Centers" dedicated to serious and emergency pediatric cases will be open 24 hours a day. For mild pediatric cases, outpatient care will be available at ten "Our Child Safe Clinics" and twenty-one "Moonlight Children’s Hospitals."

In preparation for emergency and critical cases, emergency rooms will operate 24 hours a day as usual throughout the Chuseok holiday. In total, 74 facilities will maintain emergency medical services during the holiday period: 31 regional emergency medical centers (including Seoul National University Hospital), 20 local emergency medical institutions (including Seonam Hospital), and 23 hospitals with emergency rooms.

Yonhap News Agency

24-Hour Hotline for High-Risk Pregnant Women and Newborn Emergencies

To respond to emergencies involving high-risk pregnant women and newborns, a 24-hour hotline will be operated by related organizations. Participating medical institutions will keep neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) reserve beds available, and specialists will be on standby at all times to provide care and handle emergency deliveries.

Participants in the high-risk maternal and newborn hotline include the Seoul Metropolitan Government, Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters, the Central Mother and Child Medical Center, centers at Seoul National University Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, as well as municipal hospitals such as Seoul Medical Center and Boramae Medical Center.

Detailed information about medical institutions such as clinics, hospitals, or pharmacies open during the holiday can be found on the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s “2026 Chuseok Holiday Information” website and the websites of the 25 district offices. Information is also available via the “Wrist Doctor 9988” mobile app and the “Emergency Medical Information Service (e-gen)” app, or by calling 120 (Dasan Call Center) or 119 (Emergency Situation Management Center) without an area code.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.