Special Instructions Amid Cold Wave Alert... Prime Minister: "Ministers of All Departments Must Ensure the Safety of the People"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] Amid nationwide cold wave warnings, Prime Minister Han Deok-su has instructed relevant ministers to ensure utmost safety in traffic during the return home period.

According to the Prime Minister's Office, on the 23rd, Prime Minister Han Deok-su directed the Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport to conduct pre-inspections of vulnerable accident points such as railroads and construction zones for traffic safety during the return home period. At the same time, he ordered them to do their best in preventive measures such as spreading de-icing agents in dangerous areas like bridges, overpasses, and tunnel entrances to prepare for road icing.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo [Photo by Yonhap News]

As strong winds are expected, he urged the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, the Commissioner of the Coast Guard, and heads of local governments to ensure the safety of passenger ships.

He instructed the Minister of the Interior and Safety, the Director of the Korea Meteorological Administration, and heads of local governments to promptly inform the public of weather information and the status of road, passenger ship, and aircraft controls through disaster text messages and other means.

He also directed the Minister of the Interior and Safety, the Minister of Health and Welfare, the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Commissioner of the Fire Agency, and heads of local governments to prepare for facility damages such as water pipe and meter freezing, as well as cold damage to crops.

He especially urged careful attention to the safety of vulnerable facilities such as jjokbangchon (small rooms) and gosiwon (boarding houses), as well as vulnerable groups including the homeless and the elderly.