Fewer people have snatched up train tickets to visit their hometowns for the Chuseok holiday later this month amid the ongoing pandemic and yet to be announced distancing protocols.

The Korea Railroad Corporation(KORAIL) said Wednesday that 259-thousand out of 531-thousand window seats on seven rail lines have been sold, putting the reservation rate at 48-point-nine percent.

This is down from last year's 52-point-six percent recorded on the first day of booking.  

As in the lead up to last year's Chuseok holiday, only window seats are open for sale in abidance of distancing rules for now.

Reserved tickets must be paid for by Sunday midnight; otherwise, they are automatically canceled and assigned to others on a waitlist.

Remaining tickets can be purchased in-person at train stations from Thursday at 3 p.m.