Major Incident Response Team Activated for Heavy Snow Warnings in Southern and Central Regions... Seoul City Also on Emergency Duty

CDSCH Activates Level 1 as Heavy Snow Crisis Alert Raised to 'Caution'
Seoul Implements Emergency Level 1 Operations... Over 5,000 Personnel on Standby

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety activated Level 1 of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) at 7 a.m. on the 12th, following the expansion of heavy snow warnings in the southern and central regions. In particular, the heavy snow crisis alert level was raised from 'Interest' to 'Caution' to ensure thorough preparedness.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, snow or rain is currently falling in most areas nationwide. Strong and heavy snowfall of about 1 to 3 cm per hour is occurring mainly in Jeolla, Gyeongsang, Gyeonggi, and Chungbuk provinces, where heavy snow warnings have been issued, and it is expected to continue until the evening.

The CDSCH has ordered related agencies to respond thoroughly to prevent inconvenience and damage to the public caused by the heavy snow. To prevent traffic congestion during commuting hours and slipping accidents on icy roads, all available resources have been mobilized to carry out snow removal and ice control operations. Additionally, due to low temperatures, there is a high risk of black ice on roads even in areas where rain is falling, so they urged continuous monitoring of road conditions and active promotion of reduced speed driving on snowy and icy roads.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government also activated Level 1 of its emergency snow removal operations from 10 p.m. the previous day, deploying snow removal vehicles and equipment in preparation for the snowfall. This measure responds to the forecast of 3 to 8 cm of snow in Seoul between midnight and 3 p.m. on the 12th. The city plans to deploy 5,295 personnel and 1,116 snow removal vehicles to spread deicing agents before snow begins to fall in Seoul, using CCTV installed along the snowfall path from the West Sea region to detect signs of snowfall.

They will also check the operation status of automatic snow removal equipment. To minimize commuting inconveniences caused by snowfall, heating wires and automatic brine spraying devices will be activated in sections vulnerable to icing. Patrols will be intensified at underground road entrances and exits and steep slopes where icing accidents frequently occur, and deicing agents will be applied. Han Byung-yong, Director of the Seoul Disaster and Safety Office, urged, "Due to low temperatures at dawn, there may be icy road sections, so for safety, please refrain from driving if possible and use public transportation."