Performers in colorful hanbok present a bukchum (Korean traditional drum dance) at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin on Tuesday. (Yonhap)
Performers in colorful hanbok present a bukchum (Korean traditional drum dance) at the Korean Folk Village in Yongin on Tuesday. (Yonhap)

South Korea’s four-day May holiday came to a close Tuesday, with families and travelers across the country wrapping up their extended break.

The long weekend, created by the overlap of Children’s Day and Buddha’s Birthday, spanned from Saturday to Tuesday. Major transportation hubs like Incheon International Airport saw heavy crowds throughout the day as travelers returned from domestic and overseas trips.

According to travel booking platform Klook, outbound travel surged roughly 30 percent from last year, with over half of Korean users still choosing Japan as their destination despite the yen’s recent rebound. Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam and China followed as other top picks.

At home, parks like Yeouido Hangang Park were dotted with picnic mats and tents as families and couples enjoyed the mild spring weather. Meanwhile, others sought cultural experiences, flocking to places like the Korean Folk Village in Yongin, where traditional performances captivated large crowds.

Citizens relax on picnic mats and in tents at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul on Tuesday, enjoying the final day of the May holiday. (Yonhap)
Citizens relax on picnic mats and in tents at Yeouido Hangang Park in Seoul on Tuesday, enjoying the final day of the May holiday. (Yonhap)
Incheon Airport’s Terminal 1 arrival hall saw dense crowds on Tuesday as vacationers returned home at the close of the Children’s Day holiday. (Newsis)
Incheon Airport’s Terminal 1 arrival hall saw dense crowds on Tuesday as vacationers returned home at the close of the Children’s Day holiday. (Newsis)
A large audience fills the Korean Folk Village in Yongin on Tuesday afternoon, watching cultural performances to mark the end of the long May holiday. (Yonhap)
A large audience fills the Korean Folk Village in Yongin on Tuesday afternoon, watching cultural performances to mark the end of the long May holiday. (Yonhap)

mjh@heraldcorp.com