24-Hour Situation Rooms Operated by City and District Offices
Cold Wave Shelters Open in District Office Buildings
With a severe cold wave forecasted to bring temperatures below minus 10 degrees Celsius until Saturday, January 25, the Seoul Metropolitan Government has taken steps to strengthen protection for vulnerable groups and enhance situation management.
On January 19, Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon received a briefing on the cold wave response and issued an urgent directive, stating, "As a prolonged and harsh cold spell is forecasted this week, I urge all relevant departments to thoroughly review the cold wave countermeasures through situation review meetings, ensuring there are no gaps in our response and that we do our utmost to protect vulnerable groups and manage the situation."
Kim Sungbo, Deputy Mayor for Administration of Seoul, presided over the 'Emergency Cold Wave Countermeasure Situation Review Meeting' attended by relevant department heads. Provided by Seoul City
A cold wave advisory was issued across Seoul as of 9 p.m. that day. In response, the city held an 'Emergency Cold Wave Countermeasure Situation Review Meeting' at 2 p.m., presided over by Deputy Mayor for Administration Kim Sungbo, to review protection measures for vulnerable groups together with the heads of relevant departments.
The city has activated the Comprehensive Cold Wave Support Situation Room and is working in cooperation with district offices and related agencies to strengthen citizen protection and safety management at vulnerable facilities. The city and its 25 district offices will maintain a 24-hour emergency response system centered on the Comprehensive Cold Wave Support Situation Room.
During the cold wave advisory period, 24 district office buildings will remain open 24 hours a day as 'cold wave emergency shelters.' Independent spaces within easily accessible district office buildings will be equipped with heating facilities, sleeping bags, blankets, and heaters so that anyone can freely use them. However, Gangbuk District Office, which is currently using a temporary building due to new office construction, will be excluded.
Additionally, from January 20 to 25, the city will issue a 'freeze alert' and operate a 24-hour situation room to respond quickly to water meter freeze incidents. Eight waterworks offices and the Seoul Facilities Corporation will maintain an emergency restoration system to minimize inconvenience to citizens caused by frozen meters. Reports of frozen water meters can be made through the Dasan 120 Call Foundation, the relevant waterworks office, or the Arisu Cyber Customer Center.
To prevent casualties from the cold wave, the city will check on vulnerable seniors and provide meal boxes and side dishes to low-income elderly residents. For homeless people on the streets, the city will strengthen counseling and patrols in densely populated areas and distribute cold weather supplies such as blankets and heaters.
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