Set to reopen ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday

A rendering of the Yeoju (Incheon-bound) rest stop on the Yeongdong Expressway. [Korea Expressway Corporation]
A rendering of the Yeoju (Incheon-bound) rest stop on the Yeongdong Expressway. [Korea Expressway Corporation]

Korea Expressway Corporation announced Friday it will begin facility renovation work to convert the Yeoju (Incheon-bound) rest stop on the Yeongdong Expressway into a direct-contract rest stop.

The rest stop will suspend operations starting Monday and is expected to reopen before the Lunar New Year holiday in 2027 following facility improvements and a service overhaul.

The renovation goes beyond routine maintenance, focusing on creating customer-friendly service and a more comfortable rest environment suited to a direct-contract facility. The aging, cluttered exterior will be replaced with a calm, upscale design, while the cramped interior will be reconfigured to feel more open.

The restroom foyer will also be upgraded to ease congestion and ensure year-round comfort. A convenience store will operate around the clock, and a dedicated space for light cooking and dining will be added.

Korea Expressway Corporation will begin full-scale construction Monday, focusing on the parking lot and key amenities, at which point the rest stop will close temporarily. Travelers can use the nearby Munmak rest stop, 27 kilometers before, or the Deokpyeong Nature rest stop, 16 kilometers after.

The gas station at the Yeoju (Incheon-bound) rest stop will remain open throughout the construction period. Restrooms inside the gas station will be accessible, and portable toilets will be set up in the parking lot to minimize inconvenience for long-distance drivers.

Meanwhile, Korea Expressway Corporation last month launched a recruitment drive for tenant businesses at eight rest stops nationwide as part of a direct-contract pilot program. Under the direct-contract model, the corporation signs agreements with tenants directly, bypassing intermediate operators. The move is intended to cut the commission burden on tenants from the current 33 percent to around 8 to 9 percent, excluding management fees.

Korea Expressway Corporation President Yu Jeong-hun said, "This facility renovation is an essential step in preparing to offer a more evolved level of service as a direct-contract rest stop. We look forward to welcoming the public to a new rest stop with significantly improved quality and comfort before next year's Lunar New Year holiday."


hss@heraldcorp.com