Heavy Snow Warning in Seoul Metropolitan Area and Gangwon... Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Activated Level 1

Heavy snowfall centered around the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon region has prompted the activation of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 5th that, with the issuance of a heavy snow warning for the Seoul metropolitan area and Gangwon region, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters has been activated at Level 1 from 8 a.m., and the heavy snow crisis alert level has been raised from 'Interest' to 'Caution.'

On February 22 last year, when a heavy snow warning was issued in the Seoul metropolitan area, cars covered with snow were parked in an apartment parking lot in Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Heavy snow advisories have been issued for Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Gangwon. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, the snowfall is expected to continue until the 6th, with 3-10 cm expected in Gyeonggi and Gangwon, 3-8 cm in Seoul, and 1-5 cm in Incheon.

Ko Ki-dong, Acting Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, urged related agencies to fully mobilize snow removal personnel and equipment and actively operate inter-agency support systems to minimize traffic congestion and public inconvenience by implementing snow removal measures.

He also emphasized strengthening surveillance of snow-vulnerable facilities such as vinyl greenhouses and aging buildings, as well as multi-use facilities like performance halls and sports facilities, and urged cooperation with related agencies such as fire and police departments to promptly evacuate and control access in case of collapse concerns.

He requested continuous guidance on weather alerts and action guidelines through disaster text messages and broadcasts, and actively promote reduced speed driving on snowy and icy roads.

Acting Minister Ko stated, "The government will work closely with related agencies to ensure thorough emergency response and situation management to minimize heavy snow damage," and added, "We ask the public to follow heavy snow preparedness guidelines and pay close attention to safety in traffic and walking."