Chusok is a major South Korean harvest festival celebrated around the Autumn Equinox with families visiting ancestral hometowns and sharing traditional foods. During the Chusok holiday period, which this year is September 26-29, over 27 million people travel the roads leading to extremely heavy traffic congestion and road conditions being declared "red." While USAG Red Cloud has no injury records, Korean traffic statistics from 2011-2014 show over 1,400 accidents annually resulting in hundreds injured or killed each year. Safety tips are provided to mitigate risks, including taking breaks, using seatbelts, designating drivers, and minimizing government vehicle movement during the holiday.

1. IMCOM
USAG RED CLOUD AND AREA I
SAFETY GRAM
Chusok Holiday History/Risks/Statistics
South Korea’s Chusok holiday, originally known as hangawi (한가위, from archaic Korean for "the great middle (of autumn)"),
is a major harvest festival and a three-day holiday in Korea, and is one of South Korea’s major holidays. Like many other
harvest festivals, it is held around the Autumn Equinox. As a celebration of the good harvest, Koreans visit their ancestral
hometowns and share a feast of Korean traditional food such as songpyeon and rice wines such as sindoju and dongdongju.
This year the holiday is from September 26 to September 29. During the Chusok holiday period USFK normally declares road
conditions RED due to all Korean major and secondary roads being heavily congested. Traffic can be expected to be near or
at gridlock. With approximately 27 million people on the roads, the resulting traffic increases the vehicular risk for Service
Members, DoD Civilians and Family Members as they travel during this period. Koreans will travel using all modes of
transportation.
Accident Statistics:
Garrison Safety Office has no record of any personal injury or privately owned vehicles incidents or accidents recorded during
any Chusok Holiday. However, there is an elevated risk to personnel during this time period despite that fact. Current
statistics below are from the Road Traffic Authority (ROTA) and were provided by the Korean National Police Agency for South
Korean personnel statistics through 2014.
Chusok Holiday Traffic Statistics
YEAR ACCIDENTS PERSONS KILLED PERSONS INJURIED
2011 1415 56 2718
2012 1433 34 2680
2013 2219 59 4020
2014 2016 45 3701
Safety Tips:
Leaders ensure safety briefings are conducted during this holiday weekend to include seasonal risk mitigation and Under the
Oak Tree Counseling. Other areas for Chusok that are normally discussed are:
1. Ensure Soldiers are aware of the traffic hazards during this time period. Risks of fatigue due to long travel times are likely.
Recommend all drivers take stretch breaks every two hours.
2. Enforce seatbelts for all occupants.
3. Identify and avoid hazards and convey the requirement for personal responsibility.
4. Be a responsible drinker and make a good plan to stay safe prior to departure. Review the Alcohol SMART card and
maintain in Soldier wallets.
5. Be aware of possible drunk drivers during this holiday. Alcohol consumption by holiday revelers increases the likelihood
of encountering a drunk or impaired driver.
6. Encourage guests to leave their cars at home and use public transportation or a designated driver. Ask guests how they
will be going home from the party and be prepared to take away car keys if necessary. Have cash and phone numbers ready
for taxi companies.
7. Serve food with drinks and provide non-alcoholic beverages. Stop serving alcohol at least one hour prior to events end.
8. Minimize all Government Owned Vehicle movement during the holiday period.
9. Advise Supervisors to implement Risk Assessments Via the TRiPS system at https://safety.army.mil
Safety Do’s
Driving Walking
Only drive if you have to. 1. Look carefully before crossing intersections
1. Be patient 2. Use crosswalks
2. Look over your shoulder before you change lanes
3. Keep your cell phone charged
4. Carry a safety break down kit Fire Safety
a. Break down emergency lights 1. Keep candles away from children
b. Extra food and water 2. Use gloves when frying foods
c. Medicine bag 3. Check fire alarms in your home
d. Have a charged fire extinguisher ready
e. Turn off all appliances before leaving your home
POC is Safety Office, USAG Red Cloud and Area I, 732-8528