Governor Kim Jin-tae Inspects Winter Snow Removal System: "National-Level Snow Removal with Rapid Response"

Province Visits Northern Road Management Branch
Checks Status of Snow Removal Equipment and De-icing Agent Stockpile
Operates Emergency Snow Removal Response Team for Extreme Heavy Snowfall

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced that on January 6, Governor Kim Jin-tae, National Assemblyman Han Ki-ho (Chuncheon-Cheorwon-Hwacheon-Yanggu Eul), and road management officials visited the Northern Branch of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Road Management Office in Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun to inspect the preparations for winter snow removal operations and to encourage the snow removal personnel working on-site.

Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and Han Ki-ho, Member of the National Assembly (Chuncheon-Cheorwon-Hwacheon-Yanggu Eul), along with road-related officials, visited the Northern Branch of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Road Management Office located in Hwacheon-eup, Hwacheon-gun on the 6th to inspect the preparations for winter snow removal operations. Provided by Gangwon Province

On this day, Governor Kim checked the operational status of snow removal equipment and the stockpiles of de-icing agents, and reviewed the overall response system, including step-by-step snow removal response plans according to weather conditions.

The province has designated the period from November 15, 2025, to March 31, 2026, as a special snow removal countermeasure period. During this time, it is operating 36 forward snow removal bases across a total of 66 routes-52 provincial roads and 14 delegated national highways-covering 2,117 kilometers. In addition, the province has preemptively deployed 46,808 tons of de-icing agents, 241 pieces of snow removal equipment, and 302 personnel to ensure proactive road snow removal operations.

In particular, to strengthen initial response, the province plans to operate a rapid response system by pre-deploying snow removal equipment up to six hours in advance when snowfall is forecast, and by pre-spreading de-icing agents, especially in sections vulnerable to habitual icing.

Furthermore, leveraging field-based expertise, the province has strengthened its snow removal response capabilities by utilizing experienced personnel with an average of 18 years of service and operating 13 units of Unimog, a specialized snow removal vehicle. As a result, benchmarking visits from other local governments such as Sejong Special Self-Governing City, Gyeongnam Provincial Government, and Ulsan Metropolitan City have continued.

Additionally, during this snow removal countermeasure period, the province and cities/counties have formed and are operating a "Province-City/County Snow Removal Emergency Response Team" to prepare for "extreme heavy snow" events that exceed the snow removal capabilities of individual local governments.

The response team is centered around the provincial road department, with participation from four road management offices (Wonju main office, Gangneung, Taebaek, and Northern branch) and 18 cities and counties, operating under a four-region system.

Snow Removal Status in Gangwon Province. Provided by Gangwon Province

National Assemblyman Han Ki-ho said, "Thank you for your hard work conducting snow removal operations through the cold nights. Since the initial response is most important when it snows, please pay special attention so that residents can use the roads comfortably and safely."

Governor Kim Jin-tae of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province encouraged the staff, saying, "The province is responding preemptively by deploying facilities and personnel up to six hours before snowfall, and Gangwon Province's snow removal capability is at a national level." He added, "Please make the most of the expertise accumulated so far to ensure rapid snow removal so that residents can use the roads safely."