🏥 Hospitals and Pharmacies Open During Chuseok 2025 in Seoul
A Survival Guide for Foreigners
Chuseok is one of Korea’s biggest holidays, and many businesses close for several days. If you’re a foreigner living in Seoul, you may wonder what to do if you suddenly need medical care or medicine. Don’t worry — the city has prepared emergency systems to make sure you won’t be left without help.
Here’s your complete survival guide to hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies open during the 2025 Chuseok holiday in Seoul.
🚑 Emergency Medical Help
Dial 119 → Ambulance & fire (English help available)
Dial 1339 → Korea Emergency Medical Information Center
They provide English service and guide you to the nearest open hospital.
💡 Tip: Always carry your Alien Registration Card (ARC) or passport. It helps staff register you faster.
🏥 Hospitals & Emergency Rooms
Around 17,000 hospitals and clinics in Seoul will remain open during Chuseok. Hours may be shorter, so always confirm before visiting.
📍 Major Emergency Hospitals in Seoul
Seoul National University Hospital ER (Jongno-gu)
Severance Hospital ER (Sinchon, Seodaemun-gu)
Samsung Medical Center ER (Gangnam-gu)
Asan Medical Center ER (Songpa-gu)
💡 Even if your local clinic is closed, big university hospitals always keep their ERs open.
📲 Use the e-gen App (응급의료포털)
The e-gen app gives you real-time information about hospitals, ER wait times, and pharmacies on duty.
🔽 Download Now
💡 With the e-gen app, you can:
– Search for **open hospitals** nearby
– Check **ER wait times in real time**
– Locate **duty pharmacies (당번약국)** in your area
💊 Finding Duty Pharmacies (당번약국)
When most pharmacies are closed, duty pharmacies rotate to stay open.
Step-by-Step Guide
Open the e-gen app or visit the National Emergency Medical Center website.
Select your district (구/동).
Search for “당번약국” (dang-beon yak-guk = duty pharmacy).
Check operating hours and directions.
💡 Some pharmacies may close earlier than expected, so call ahead if possible.
Hospitals and Pharmacies Open During Chuseok 2025 – Survival Guide for Foreigners
🌐 Useful Korean Words
응급실 (eung-geup-sil) → Emergency Room (ER)
약국 (yak-guk) → Pharmacy
병원 (byeong-won) → Hospital
당번 (dang-beon) → On duty
🎌 Bonus: Holiday Events
Looking for cultural experiences instead of hospitals? During Chuseok, Seoul offers traditional programs like the Hanbok Festival at Gyeongbok Palace — rent a hanbok, enjoy free palace entry, and take memorable photos.
✅ Final Reminders
Double-check hours before visiting.
Bring your ARC/passport and some cash or a Korean debit card.
Stay calm — Seoul has strong systems to support you even during the holiday.