Motorway service area shake-up — 24-hour convenience stores and americanos under 2,000 won, first at 8 sites this year
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced a plan to overhaul motorway service areas, including 24-hour convenience stores and americanos for under 2,000 won, starting at 8 service areas this year.
Key facts
| Announcement | Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, 9 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| How they will be run | A public management company contracts directly with tenant businesses (to be set up early next year; the Korea Expressway Corporation runs it on an interim basis this year) |
| Rent | Average tenant rent falls from 33% of sales to around 8–9% (management fees separate) |
| Prices and hours | Americanos from an average of 4,800 won to under 2,000 won; convenience stores open 24 hours with ready meals |
| This year | 8 sites — Hapcheonho (both directions), Wolchulsan, Yeoju, Gunwi, Jangyu and Daecheon (both directions) — tenders in July, interim operation from December |
Last checked:
On 9 July the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced its plan to overhaul how motorway service areas are run. The current multi-layered structure running from the Korea Expressway Corporation through intermediate operators to tenant businesses will be replaced by a specialist public management company that contracts directly with tenant businesses. The public management company is due to be set up early next year, and the Korea Expressway Corporation will run the arrangement on an interim basis this year. Average rent for tenant businesses will fall from 33% of sales to around 8–9% (management fees are separate) so that the effect feeds through to consumer prices, and the aim is for americanos, which average 4,800 won, to be available for under 2,000 won. Convenience stores that used to close at 10pm will open 24 hours and offer ready meals such as lunch boxes, gimbap and cup noodles, along with space to prepare and eat food. Eight service areas will change this year — Hapcheonho (both directions), Wolchulsan, Yeoju, Gunwi, Jangyu and Daecheon (both directions) — with tenders advertised in July and interim operation starting in December.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Will service area convenience stores open 24 hours?
Convenience stores that used to close at 10pm will open 24 hours and offer ready meals such as lunch boxes, gimbap and cup noodles, along with space to eat.
When do the changes start?
Eight service areas go to tender in July and start interim operation in December, and the public management company is due to be set up early next year.