Patients who visit clinics or pharmacies during the Chuseok holiday can face higher out-of-pocket costs because Korea applies a holiday surcharge to basic medical fees. The effect can be especially large for some patients aged 65 and over because the added charge can push a visit beyond the elderly outpatient fixed-payment threshold. One example cited by Maeil Shinmun shows a usual 1,800 won clinic payment rising to 4,600 won on the holiday.
That example does not mean every older patient will pay 4,600 won. The final amount depends on the service and whether the surcharge moves the total fee into a different patient-payment band. The practical point for September 24 through 27 is that the same type of routine visit can cost more simply because it occurs on a public holiday, when the basic consultation fee carries a 30 percent surcharge.