26.4cm of Heavy Snow... Honam Frozen Solid in the 'Severe Cold Wave'

33 Accidents in Gwangju and Jeonnam, 37 in Jeonbuk Occur One After Another

On the 27th, when heavy snowfall reaching 20cm fell in Seoul, a citizen visiting the Namsan Observatory in Jung-gu, Seoul, is making a snow duck. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Overnight, heavy snowfall of up to 26.4 cm blanketed the entire regions of Gwangju, South Jeolla, and North Jeolla, leading to a series of accidents.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration on the 10th, as of 5 a.m. that day, the highest recorded snowfall was 11 cm on Nakwol-do, Yeonggwang-gun, South Jeolla. This was followed by 10.8 cm on Imja-do, Sinan-gun, 9.7 cm in Jindo, 9.1 cm in Jangseong, 8.6 cm in Haeje, Muan-gun, and 7 cm in Gwangju.

In North Jeolla, snowfall amounts included 26.4 cm in Bokheung, Sunchang, 19.5 cm on Deogyusan, 18.7 cm in Gunsan Industrial Complex, 17.9 cm in Julpo, Buan, 17.4 cm in Simwon, Gochang, 17.3 cm on Naejangsan, Jeongeup, 12.5 cm in Imsil, 8.4 cm in Wanju, 6.1 cm in Namwon, and 5.4 cm in Jeonju.

Due to the heavy snow, 33 incidents were reported in Gwangju and South Jeolla, and 37 in North Jeolla, including falls, fallen trees, and traffic accidents.

At around 9:06 p.m. the previous day, a vehicle skidded on an icy road and crashed into a street tree in Gwangsan-gu, Gwangju. At 12:26 a.m. that day, a car slipped on a snowy road in Gunnam-myeon, Yeonggwang-gun, South Jeolla, veering into a stream and leaving five people with minor injuries who were transported to a hospital.

Currently, access to five national parks?Jirisan (South Jeolla section), Naejangbaekam, Dadohae West, Wolchulsan, and Mudeungsan East?is restricted due to snow. In addition, the operation of 60 ships on 46 sea routes has been suspended.

In North Jeolla, all passenger ships on five routes including Gunsan-Gaeya and all flights from Gunsan Airport to Jeju have been canceled. Around 3,000 fishing boats in the West Coast area have also evacuated.

A Korea Meteorological Administration official stated, "With subzero temperatures continuing throughout the day, icy conditions and black ice are expected on side roads, alleys, sloped roads, and shaded areas. Please pay special attention to traffic and pedestrian safety."