Interior ministry warns of surge in Chuseok traffic accidents and home fires

The interior ministry said Monday that traffic accidents on the day before the Chuseok holiday average 750 cases, roughly 1.4 times the usual daily count of 541 over the past five years.

Data from the Korea Transportation Safety Authority shows collisions begin rising after 2 p.m. on the eve of the break and peak between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., with an average of 123 incidents. Severity increases to 166 casualties per 100 accidents compared to the typical 144.

Residential fires account for 36.6 percent of all blazes recorded over recent holidays, driven primarily by cooking carelessness such as leaving stoves unattended. Of the 1,122 fires reported during these periods, 411 occurred in homes.

Officials advised drivers to inspect vehicles before departure, avoid using mobile phones behind the wheel and refrain from drunk driving. For kitchen safety, the agency recommended keeping K-class fire extinguishers readily available and warned against pouring water on burning grease.

"We hope everyone can spend a safe and abundant Chuseok by being extra careful about accidents and fire hazards during the holiday," said Ha Jong-mok, director general for disaster and safety policy at the ministry.