Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Raises Snow Removal Alert Level Nationwide
Park Sang-woo and Baek Won-guk Inspect Local Operations
Drivers Urged to Be Cautious of Black Ice as Temperatures Drop
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport is strengthening snow removal measures on roads nationwide during the Lunar New Year holiday and is deploying a large number of personnel and equipment for snow removal operations across the country.
On the 28th, the Ministry announced that with heavy snow advisories and warnings issued nationwide, it has raised the road snow removal response crisis level to 'alert' and commenced snow removal operations on expressways and general national roads.
From the afternoon of the 26th until 4 p.m. on the 28th, approximately 7,000 snow removal personnel and 3,500 pieces of equipment were deployed. The amount of deicing agents spread reached about 86,000 tons.
At 647 vulnerable locations such as tunnel entrances and bridges prone to snow accumulation and icing, safety facilities including automatic brine spraying systems, variable speed limit signs, and electronic road signs were installed.
Additionally, a 24-hour comprehensive snow removal control room is in operation, and snow removal measures are being implemented in cooperation with road management offices, regional land management offices, and regional headquarters of the Korea Expressway Corporation.
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Park Sang-woo and Second Vice Minister Baek Won-guk have also visited local land management offices since the 26th to check the progress of snow removal measures and traffic conditions.
The Ministry warned, "With temperatures dropping after tomorrow, there is a high risk of roads freezing over with thin ice forming," and urged drivers to "exercise special caution by reducing speed and maintaining safe distances for safe driving."
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