Nearly 4,000 service members on emergency standby during Chuseok

SEOUL, Sept 11 (Yonhap) - Some 4,000 armed service members and doctors will be on standby to provide emergency rescue and medical services over the Chuseok holiday weekend, during which millions of South Koreans will head to their hometowns, the Defense Ministry said Thursday.

Over 700 helicopters, naval vessels and military ambulances will also be
mobilized throughout the country to provide emergency relief services from Friday
through Monday, according to the ministry.

"The military will remain on standby around the clock throughout the weekend
to provide any support to those in need or to assist with accidents during the
mass movement of people returning home," it said in a press release.

Emergency medical service will also be made available to civilians at 20 military
hospitals throughout the country, it said.

Requests for help can be filed by phone through any major armed services command
post or via the military medical service center at 1688-5119.

Chuseok, the autumn harvest holiday, runs Saturday to Monday.

bdk@yna.co.kr