"Yesterday's Commute Was Hell Due to Heavy Snow"... Another 'Snow Bomb' Today

Heavy Snowfall of 3-5cm per Hour Forecasted in Chungcheong, Jeolla, and Jeju on 22-23
KMA Advises Caution on Icy Roads and to Check Traffic Conditions

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] On the morning of the 21st, heavy snow fell at a rate of up to 3cm per hour in the Seoul metropolitan area, causing inconvenience to commuters nationwide. However, with another heavy snowfall forecast mainly in the Chungcheong region and some other areas until the upcoming weekend, special caution is advised for traffic and fall accidents on icy roads.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, from the 22nd to the 23rd ahead of the weekend, heavy snow of about 3 to 5cm per hour is expected mainly in the Chungcheong region, Jeolla region, and Jeju Island. As of 9 a.m. on that day, heavy snow of 1 to 3cm per hour was falling mainly in the Chungcheong region, Jeolla region, and Jeju Island. Due to the "snow bomb," traffic inconveniences during commuting hours are expected again following the previous day.

The subway in the Seoul metropolitan area, crowded with commuters the previous day, became the so-called ‘hell train.’ Some trains on the Gimpo Gold Line were stranded due to snow accumulated on the outdoor tracks. During the morning rush hour, the number of trains decreased from the usual 21 to 16, and the interval between trains increased from 3 minutes 30 seconds to about 4 minutes, causing congestion at each station. Around 8:10 a.m. at Gimpo Airport Station on the Gimpo Gold Line, a passenger collapsed due to breathing difficulties and was transported to a nearby hospital.

Traffic accidents on icy roads also occurred one after another. Around 7:40 a.m., a tanker truck traveling toward Seoul on the Gyeongbu Expressway in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk, overturned, blocking three lanes and causing severe traffic congestion. Around 8:50 a.m., near Namyeoju IC on the Jungbu Naeryuk Expressway heading toward Changwon, a tanker truck slipped on the snowy road, leading to emergency traffic control on some sections. Additionally, around 9:50 a.m. in Noseong-myeon, Nonsan-si, Chungnam, a taxi making a right turn slipped on the snowy road and fell into a stream about 3 meters below, resulting in the death of the taxi driver in his 60s.

On the morning of the 21st, when a heavy snow warning was issued for most areas of the Seoul metropolitan area including Seoul, snow is falling around Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The Korea Meteorological Administration urged caution regarding traffic and fall accidents. Heavy snowfall reduces visibility, and snow on the ground can freeze, making roads slippery. The agency stated, "To prepare for the possibility of vehicles being stranded due to snow, check traffic conditions and thoroughly prepare winter equipment," and added, "Since snow accumulation and freezing are expected, special attention should be paid to pedestrian safety on icy roads."