Hampyeong County in Jeollanam-do announced on December 12 that it had been recognized as an outstanding local government for its winter natural disaster response, receiving high marks for thorough advance preparation and a public-private cooperation-based response system.
Hampyeong County was selected as an exemplary local government in the city/county/district category in the "2024-2025 Winter Natural Disaster Response Excellence Evaluation for Local Governments," organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. As a result, the county received a commendation from the Minister of the Interior and Safety and was awarded a special grant of 50 million won as an incentive.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety conducted a comprehensive review and evaluation of local governments' natural disaster response records, selecting a total of 13 institutions for both summer and winter (5 at the provincial level and 8 at the city/county/district level). Hampyeong County was the only local government in Jeollanam-do to be named an outstanding institution for winter disaster response.
During the 2024-2025 winter season, Hampyeong County experienced seven heavy snow advisories and 16 days of snowfall during the natural disaster response period, raising concerns over repeated extreme weather events. However, the county was highly praised for its thorough advance preparation and swift response, which effectively prevented loss of life and property damage.
In the prevention and preparation phase, whenever a heavy snow forecast was issued, the county immediately activated a heavy snow response task force led by the deputy county governor and held situation assessment meetings. Efforts included pre-positioning snow removal materials and equipment, preemptively spreading de-icing agents in vulnerable sections, providing safety guidelines to at-risk groups, and conducting advance inspections of vulnerable facilities such as greenhouses and livestock barns. These measures focused on minimizing road icing and preventing facility damage.
During the active response phase, as snowfall intensified, the county worked with agencies such as the police and fire departments to quickly implement traffic restrictions in snow-prone areas, provide customized snow removal tailored to local conditions, and check on vulnerable residents, thereby strengthening on-site response capabilities.
Cooperation with the local volunteer disaster prevention group (snow removal volunteer team) was also notable. A total of 147 members from nine towns and townships actively participated in snow removal during the response period, ensuring the safety of infrastructure such as roads and walkways. The effectiveness of this public-private cooperation system was a key factor in the evaluation.
A Hampyeong County official stated, "As unpredictable natural disasters continue due to climate change, protecting the lives and property of county residents is more important than ever. We will continue to focus all administrative capabilities on further strengthening our disaster preparedness and response system."
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