Gyeonggi Province Issues Emergency Level 1 Snow Disaster Response from 9 PM on January 9

Gyeonggi Province issued Emergency Level 1 on January 9, anticipating that 1 to 8 centimeters of snow will accumulate across the province, particularly in the eastern region, from the night of January 9 through the evening of January 10.

On January 9, Governor Kim Dongyeon sent an official directive to all cities and counties, emphasizing the following key measures: thorough emergency work and snow removal operations in preparation for weekend snowfall; completion of pre-snowfall de-icing agent application; strengthened snow removal management on privately operated roads; thorough follow-up snow removal in high-traffic public areas such as bus stops and subway entrances; advance monitoring and inspection of structures vulnerable to snow accumulation, with prompt preemptive evacuation and control if necessary; strict safety management for snow removal personnel; and enhanced protection measures for those vulnerable to cold waves due to rapidly dropping temperatures.

Previously, on January 8, Gyeonggi Province held a meeting presided over by Vice Governor for Administrative Affairs Kim Seongjung, attended by deputy heads of cities and counties and relevant provincial department officials, urging that the improved snow response system continues to be implemented effectively at snow removal sites.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

The improvement plan was developed by analyzing shortcomings in the snow response during the December 4, 2025 snowfall. It specifies in detail the pre-snowfall de-icing agent application times for each region, strengthens management of snow removal on privately operated roads by involving private road operators in the provincial disaster headquarters’ snow response, and includes measures such as checking the start time of snow removal and monitoring snow removal status in city-county boundary sections, as well as providing detour guidance and restricting entry into congested sections in case of traffic jams.

Gyeonggi Province has decided to respond to this snowfall in accordance with these improvements.

With heavy weekend traffic expected and snowfall forecasted, the province is urging residents to use public transportation whenever possible, drive at reduced speeds and maintain sufficient safe distances if using private vehicles, watch out for slippery sidewalks, and conduct snow removal during daylight hours only after ensuring safety.

Meanwhile, the Korea Meteorological Administration has forecast up to 8 centimeters of snow in the province by the evening of January 10.