Korea Today, Oct 10: Airport rail union starts work-to-rule Monday
Today in 30 seconds: The union at AREX, the train between Seoul Station and Incheon Airport, starts a work-to-rule campaign on Monday, Oct 12. On Sunday, a 12,000-runner race closes roads in central Seoul until late morning, and showers are forecast for inland areas in the afternoon. Further out, Busan subway workers and Gyeonggi bus drivers have named strike dates for later this month.
1. Airport railroad union begins work-to-rule on Oct 12
The union at the Airport Railroad (공항철도, AREX), which links Seoul Station with Incheon International Airport, will start a work-to-rule campaign (준법투쟁) on Monday, Oct 12. Mediation broke down this week, and it is the first labor action since the line opened in 2007. Workers will keep to the timetable but refuse to cover substitute shifts. The union is asking for more train crew and safety staff and better pay; about 81% of voting members backed industrial action. It has said a full strike could follow if talks stall. Because AREX is classed as an essential service, some trains must keep running even during a strike.
What it means for you: A union official expects little disruption during the work-to-rule phase, but if you are catching a flight this week, leave a buffer and check AREX notices before you go. Airport limousine buses are an alternative.
Source: Kyeongin Ilbo (Korean) · Seoul Shinmun (Korean) · Hankyung (Korean)
2. Sunday road closures in central Seoul
The 2026 Seoul Running (서울달리기) race starts from Seoul Plaza at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct 11, with about 12,000 runners on half-marathon and 11 km courses. The courses pass through Jongno, Dongdaemun, Sungnyemun Gate, Euljiro and Cheonggyecheon. Seoul City says roads around Namdaemun-ro, Euljiro and Cheonggyecheon-ro will be closed in stages from 5:30 a.m. to 11:10 a.m. Each section reopens once the runners have passed, and city buses will take temporary detours. Elsewhere, Jamsu Bridge (잠수교) is closed to cars from noon to midnight for its weekly car-free festival, and the Heo Jun Festival in Gangseo-gu is also causing road closures.
What it means for you: On Sunday morning, use the subway instead of buses or taxis to get around City Hall, Jongno and Dongdaemun. Seoul’s TOPIS traffic site shows live closures.
Source: Seoul City (Korean) · Newspim (Korean) · Aju News (Korean)
3. Warm Sunday, afternoon showers, typhoon stays away
The weather agency forecasts lows of 10–20°C and highs of 22–28°C on Sunday, with a gap of up to 15°C between night and day inland. Seoul is expected to range from 15°C to 27°C. Showers of 5–20 mm may hit inland areas from the afternoon into the evening, and thunder and gusts are possible in central inland areas. Jeju gets on-and-off rain through Monday, totalling 5–40 mm. Typhoon Goguma is far out in the western Pacific, and the weather agency (KMA) said this week it is unlikely to directly affect Korea.
What it means for you: Dress in layers and carry a compact umbrella on Sunday afternoon, especially if you are hiking or heading out of Seoul. Jeju visitors should plan some indoor stops.
Source: Asia Economy (Korean) · Topstar News (Korean) · Etoday (Korean)
4. Free events on the last night of the long weekend
Sunday is the last day of the three-day Hangeul Day weekend. The Nodeul Island light festival (노들섬) ends with a closing show at 7:30 p.m. Laser and media art are free. The nearest stop is Nodeul Station on Line 9, and free shuttles run from Sinyongsan, Nodeul and Noryangjin stations from 6 to 10 p.m. On car-free Jamsu Bridge you’ll find food trucks, photo zones and fountain shows from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.
What it means for you: These make a good free evening by the Han River. Check the forecast first, because showers are possible in the late afternoon.
Source: Newspim (Korean) · Seoul Mediahub (Korean)
5. Strike dates to watch: Busan Oct 23, Gyeonggi buses Oct 29
A group of 15 rail and subway unions has announced a strike in Busan on Oct 23 and a nationwide strike on Nov 20, with member votes set for early November. Separately, drivers at 29 Gyeonggi Province bus companies, about 10,000 people in total, are seeking raises of 20% or more. They say they will strike on Oct 29 if mediation fails. Talks are still going on in both disputes, so none of these strikes is certain.
What it means for you: If your trip includes Busan around Oct 23 or Gyeonggi bus routes in late October, keep your plans flexible.
Source: Railroad Economy Daily (Korean) · Segye Ilbo (Korean)
Sources
- Kyeongin Ilbo — Airport railroad union announces first strike (Korean)
- Seoul Shinmun — Airport railroad faces first strike, work-to-rule from 12th (Korean)
- Hankyung — Airport railroad at risk of first strike in 19 years (Korean)
- Seoul Metropolitan Government — 2026 Seoul Running traffic notice (Korean)
- Newspim — 12,000 runners in Seoul Running on the 11th (Korean)
- Aju News — Oct 11 traffic controls and bus detours (Korean)
- Seoul Mediahub — Car-free Jamsu Bridge festival, fall season (Korean)
- Newspim — Free Han River events over the Hangeul Day weekend (Korean)
- Asia Economy — Sunday forecast: inland showers, wide temperature swing (Korean)
- Topstar News — Weather for Oct 11–12 (Korean)
- Etoday — Typhoon Goguma track per KMA and JMA (Korean)
- Railroad Economy Daily — Rail and subway unions set strike dates (Korean)
- Segye Ilbo — Gyeonggi bus union warns of strike at month's end (Korean)