Domestic Violence Reports Surge During Chuseok Holiday in South Korea
Police data show that South Korea recorded an average of 1,145 domestic violence reports per day during last year’s Chuseok break, 44.5 percent above the ordinary daily average, prompting strengthened victim-protection measures for this year’s holiday.
Domestic violence reports in South Korea rose sharply during last year’s Chuseok holiday, reinforcing concerns about heightened risks within households during long family breaks. Police are strengthening protections for victims during this year’s holiday as the daily number of reports continues to climb.
National Police Agency data obtained by People Power Party lawmaker Kim Yea-ji showed that police received 8,017 domestic violence reports through the 112 emergency hotline during the seven-day Chuseok holiday from October 3 to 9 last year. That amounted to an average of 1,145 reports a day.
The holiday average was 44.5 percent higher than the ordinary daily average of 792 reports. Police received 289,368 domestic violence reports across the full year, according to the data.
The figures also point to a persistent upward trend during Chuseok. The daily average stood at 914 reports in 2021 and 915 in 2022. It rose to 937 in 2023, then to 1,049 in 2024, before reaching 1,145 last year.
Variations in the length of the holiday period affected the total number of reports each year. Police received 4,568 reports over five days in 2021 and 3,660 over four days in 2022. The total increased to 5,623 over six days in 2023, while 5,246 reports were recorded over five days in 2024. Last year’s seven-day break produced the highest total in the period covered by the figures.
The comparison between daily averages is significant because it controls for differences in holiday duration. It indicates that the increase was not simply the result of a longer break, but reflected a substantially heavier daily volume of emergency calls than police handle on a typical day.
Authorities said they plan to reinforce safeguards for victims of domestic violence and other crimes involving personal relationships during this year’s Chuseok holiday. Police also intend to take strict action against perpetrators.
The data highlight the pressure that holiday periods can place on emergency response and victim-support systems. With domestic violence reports during Chuseok rising each year since 2021, the latest figures add urgency to prevention, rapid intervention and protection measures when families spend extended periods together.