“Citizens' Bodies and Minds Are Warm” … Changwon Special City Implements Comprehensive Winter Measures

4-Month Safety, Livelihood, and Welfare Support
29 Special Measures in 3 Areas Prepared

Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam has established the '2024 Winter Season Comprehensive Measures' to support citizens in having a warm winter both physically and mentally, and will focus on implementing these measures over four months from November to March next year.

Changwon Special City Hall.

These measures consist of a total of 29 detailed action plans across three main areas: safety management to minimize citizen damage from various natural disasters, disasters, and infectious disease resurgence; livelihood stabilization; and welfare support.

First, the city has developed a phased response plan to prepare for cold waves and heavy snowfall, and will conduct pre-inspections and maintenance of disaster-vulnerable facilities such as small-scale, small-quantity, and large-scale stores. In particular, to prevent traffic accidents caused by black ice during the last winter season, the city will meticulously implement road snow removal measures, including early removal of ice in vulnerable sections.

Fire safety measures have also been established to prevent fires that frequently occur during the dry winter season. The city plans to strengthen wildfire prevention activities and eliminate causes in advance to fundamentally block wildfire risks, as well as devote administrative efforts to fire management in traditional markets.

Additionally, to prepare for the seasonal resurgence of influenza and COVID-19, the city will actively carry out vaccinations for infection-vulnerable groups such as the elderly, children, and pregnant women. It will also operate disease surveillance systems including monitoring of cold-related illness occurrences and a daily influenza surveillance system to strengthen support for citizen health management during winter.

Second, livelihood stabilization measures that provide practical help to citizens will also be promoted. The city will operate a special disposal period for kimchi waste and briquette ash and conduct intensive crackdowns on illegal burning to maintain a pleasant residential environment. At the same time, it will establish an emergency response system for stable energy supply such as petroleum and gas to thoroughly prepare for any disruptions in energy supply.

To stabilize grocery prices, the city plans to operate a comprehensive price management situation room to crack down on unfair trade practices such as violations of origin labeling, unfair charges, and measurement violations, thereby promoting stability in the lives of ordinary citizens.

Furthermore, customized benefit services to stabilize the management of small business owners will be actively supported. The city will support public utility fees and delivery charges for good-price stores within the jurisdiction and strengthen the operation of a legal consultation support group for small business owners. Along with this, the city plans to issue the Changwon Sarang Gift Certificate Nubijeon to invigorate the local economy.

The city will also take the lead in creating a warm social atmosphere that cares for neighbors who are easily marginalized. It will support heating expenses for social welfare facilities and low-income elderly households and strengthen safety checks for vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone.

In addition, through on-site administration, the city will intensively identify welfare crisis households during winter and encourage homeless people to enter facilities, ensuring that no one is left out and everyone can spend a cozy winter with thorough welfare support measures.

Hong Nampyo, Mayor of Changwon Special City, said, “We will diligently implement detailed measures in each field to ensure a comprehensive winter season plan with no blind spots,” and added, “We hope citizens will familiarize themselves with winter disaster action guidelines so that everyone can have a safe and warm winter.”