The Korean Railway Workers' Union held a press conference on November 21 at Seoul Station, declaring, "If the government and the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) do not change their stance, we will begin an indefinite strike on December 5."

Adding to the concerns, the Seoul Metro Union, which operates subway lines 1 through 8, announced on November 19 that it would hold a strike starting December 6. The union is opposing workforce reductions and the implementation of a one-person operation system.

The potential strikes are expected to cause significant inconvenience for visitors relying on public transportation, especially as the year-end tourism season approaches.

In the first half of 2024, South Korea welcomed 7.71 million foreign tourists, reaching 91.2% of the numbers recorded in the same period of 2019, which marked a peak for inbound tourism. Compared to the first half of 2023, this represents a 73.8% increase.

As more tourists are anticipated to visit South Korea during the holiday season, the railway and subway strikes are likely to impact their travel plans significantly.

Travelers are advised to monitor the situation and consider alternative transportation options.