Prolonged Cold Wave... Government Steps Up Management of De-Icing Agent Supply

Ministry of the Interior and Safety Holds Joint Meeting with Relevant Agencies
Comprehensive Management from Supply to Stockpiling and Operation

In response to the recurring weather patterns of heavy snow and cold waves, the government is taking steps to ensure the stable supply and management of de-icing agents.

To this end, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety held a joint meeting with relevant agencies on January 23 to review the current usage of de-icing agents during the winter season. During the meeting, participants shared updates on domestic and international supply chain trends and forecasts for de-icing agents, and confirmed each agency's current stockpiles and additional procurement plans in preparation for future heavy snow events.

Mid-month heavy snow warning was issued for the Ilro-eup area of Muan County, Jeonnam. Photo by Yonhap News

Prior to the official winter response period, the government has been stockpiling sufficient quantities of de-icing agents in advance to ensure thorough snow removal operations. In particular, with the government’s recent proactive stance on disaster response, the use of de-icing agents by each agency for preemptive measures has increased. This winter, a significantly larger amount of de-icing agents-450,000 tons-has already been deployed compared to previous years.

At the meeting, Oh Byungkwon, Director of the Natural Disaster Division, called for proactive de-icing of roads and airport runways, taking into account hazards such as road black ice. He also emphasized the need for thorough preparation to prevent shortages of de-icing agents due to increased operations, including additional stockpiling and activating mutual support and mobilization systems among agencies to ensure there are no gaps in snow removal during emergencies.

Director Oh stated, "De-icing agents are a key disaster resource for protecting public safety during winter," and added, "We will continue to work closely with relevant agencies to ensure the stable supply and operation of de-icing agents."