Heavy Overnight Snowfall... Seoul Commuters on High Alert for Icy Roads (Comprehensive)

Subzero Temperatures Bring Icy Roads and Slippery Streets
Seoul Extends Rush Hour Public Transit Schedule by 30 Minutes
City Urges Use of Public Transportation; No Casualties or Property Damage Reported Yet

Overnight, heavy snowfall blanketed all of Seoul in white. On the morning commute of Monday, February 2, citizens carefully watched their steps as they made their way to work.

On the morning of the 2nd, employees were conducting snow removal work in front of a building in the Gwanghwamun area of Seoul. Photo by Hosoo Park

Near Gangnam Station, snow had been cleared to the sides of the sidewalks, but with the temperature dropping to minus 3 degrees Celsius, a thin layer of ice formed on the paths.

Mr. Won (39), who commutes from Nowon District to Gangnam Station, said, "I usually drive, but today I left about 20 minutes early and switched between a taxi and the subway to get to work. The buses were too crowded to even consider, and it was hard to catch a taxi, so I waited more than 10 minutes longer than usual."

A similar scene unfolded around Gwanghwamun Square. The roads were relatively clear thanks to snow removal efforts, but many sections of the sidewalks remained slippery where trampled snow had frozen.

Hong Soonhee (70), a cleaning supervisor working in a nearby building, said, "Almost no snow removal has been done on the sidewalks, so 20 staff members have been sweeping snow since 5 a.m." Kwak Geumok (75), who was exiting the turnstiles at Gwanghwamun Station, said, "I left home early because I have a hospital appointment today, but the inside of the station is also slippery because people tracked in snow. Older people are worried about falling."

The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it would extend the rush hour schedule for public transportation by 30 minutes longer than usual.

For the subway, Lines 2 and 5 through 8 will maintain rush hour intervals until 9:30 a.m., with 20 additional trains operating compared to usual. City buses will also maintain their minimum intervals until 9:30 a.m.

A Seoul city official stated, "We will operate public transportation flexibly to minimize inconvenience for citizens and will do our utmost to manage transportation facilities. We ask citizens to check traffic information in advance and use public transportation."

On the morning of the 2nd, citizens are waiting for the bus at a bus stop near Gwanghwamun Station. Photo by Hosoo Park

As of 6 a.m., recorded snowfall was 8.7 cm in Hoengseong, Gangwon; 7.5 cm in Pyeongchang, Gangwon; 6.2 cm in Buyeo, South Chungcheong; 5.0 cm in Jeongeup, North Jeolla; 4.7 cm in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi; 5.0 cm in Seongnam, Gyeonggi; 4.8 cm in Songpa, Seoul; 3.9 cm in Gongju, South Chungcheong; and 3.2 cm in Jecheon, North Chungcheong.

No casualties or property damage have been reported so far.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety raised the heavy snow crisis alert from "Attention" to "Caution" the previous day and activated Level 1 of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

Yoon Hojoong, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (and Minister of the Interior and Safety), instructed that thorough snow removal be conducted on major roads and vulnerable sections to prevent traffic disruptions due to icy roads during the morning commute.

He also ordered that follow-up snow removal be thoroughly carried out around bus stops, side streets, and pedestrian areas closely related to daily life, to ensure pedestrian safety.