The Chuseok holiday starts tomorrow. When the hospitals and pharmacies you usually go to close for several days, it's hard to know where to go if you suddenly get a fever or a stomachache. If you search online, you'll get a lot of answers saying "go to the emergency room." But that's only half the answer. ## "Just go to the ER" isn't enough The ER is open 24 hours, but during holidays it gets crowded and you have to wait a long time. On top of that, during holidays doctors and nurses come in specially to work, so there's an extra surcharge added to the treatment fee. If you go to the ER just to get some cold medicine, it's a waste of both time and money. ## First, find a duty pharmacy In Korea, for every holiday, pharmacies and hospitals that will stay open are designated in advance by region. This is called a "duty pharmacy." On the Emergency Medical Portal (e-gen.or.kr), you can check on a map which places are open right now. If the internet feels difficult, you can also call 119 and ask. It'll also show up if you search "holiday open pharmacies" on Naver Map. ## But if you still need an emergency room If you're having trouble breathing or are severely injured, go to the emergency room. Most hospitals have a holiday treatment notice posted out front, and you'll also be told about the surcharge when you register. Knowing this in advance will keep you from being caught off guard.