Surge in domestic violence feared during S. Korea's Chuseok holiday

As South Korea enters one of its longest Chuseok holidays in recent years lasting seven days thanks to adjacent public holidays concerns are growing that family-related violent crimes could spike during the period.

- 

People dressed in the traditional Korean attire hanbok while visiting the Gyeongbokgung Palace during the Chuseok holiday period in Seoul on Oct 5. Police statistics show that violent incidents, particularly those occurring within families or intimate relationships, tend to rise during traditional holidays when relatives gather for extended periods.

(PHOTO: EPA)

Police statistics show that violent incidents, particularly those occurring within families or intimate relationships, tend to rise during traditional holidays when relatives gather for extended periods.

According to police data, domestic violence reports rose 62.3 per cent and dating violence, 30.5 per cent, during 2024's holiday compared to non-holiday periods. Police said more than 4,000 such cases are typically recorded nationwide during Chuseok and that the longer the holiday, the more cases are reported.