Lotte World Tower (Photo courtesy of haps Magazine Korea)
Seoul will implement a wide-ranging set of safety, livelihood, and daily life measures during the Lunar New Year holiday period from February 13 to 19, aiming to ensure residents can travel, shop, and spend the holiday period with minimal disruption.
The 2026 Lunar New Year Comprehensive Plan is built around three core areas — public safety, livelihood stability, and everyday convenience — and includes 15 detailed action items.
A temporary situation control center will operate at City Hall throughout the holiday, coordinating responses across fire safety, snow removal, traffic, medical services, and price monitoring.
On the safety front, emergency medical services will remain fully operational. A total of 72 emergency medical facilities will run 24 hours a day, while an average of 2,656 hospitals and pharmacies will be open daily.
Pediatric emergency centers will also operate around the clock.
Food safety inspections and disaster prevention measures, including fire and infrastructure safety checks, will be completed in advance, while police patrols will be reinforced to prevent crime during peak travel periods.
To support vulnerable residents, the city will continue free meal services for low-income seniors, children, and homeless individuals throughout the holiday.
Cash support and care visits will be provided to welfare recipients, elderly residents living alone, and households at risk of social isolation.
At the same time, Seoul will issue holiday shopping vouchers and expand traditional market rebate programs to ease household spending and support small businesses.
In terms of daily convenience, subway and bus services will run later on key days, real-time traffic updates will be provided, and the 120 Dasan Call Center will operate 24 hours a day.
The city says the measures are designed to balance safety, care, and mobility so residents can focus on spending the holiday with family and friends.