"3-Hour Commute Home" Snowstorm Paralyzes Rush Hour... Citizens Frustrated by Slow Snow Removal Efforts

KMA Issues Heavy Snow Warning and Cold Wave Alert for All of Seoul
Sudden Heavy Snow Causes 'Commute Chaos' and 'Traffic Jams' Across the Capital Region
"Usually 30 Minutes Home... Took 3 Hours Due to Heavy Snow"

On the afternoon of the 6th, when a heavy snow warning was issued across Seoul, a citizen is crossing the crosswalk near Samseong Station in Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] On the 6th, heavy snowfall during the evening rush hour in the Seoul metropolitan area paralyzed urban traffic and caused delays in snow removal operations, resulting in significant inconvenience for citizens.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, snow began falling around 7 p.m. in Seoul and the metropolitan area, with an official accumulation of 3.8 cm recorded by 10 p.m. Heavy snowfall was also reported in Gyeonggi Province, with 11.6 cm in Gwacheon and 9.0 cm in Hanam.

The Meteorological Administration issued a heavy snow warning and cold wave alert for the entire Seoul area, anticipating heavy snowfall during the evening rush hour.

A heavy snow warning is issued when snowfall is expected to accumulate 5 cm or more within 24 hours. The cold wave alert in Seoul was the first in about three years since January 23, 2018.

On the night of the 6th when snow fell, vehicles on the Seoul Seobu Expressway were moving slowly due to the snow, forming a long queue during the evening commute. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, due to the heavy snowfall in a short period combined with the cold wave, the evening rush hour chaos and traffic congestion could not be avoided. Kim, a worker in his 20s who works in Mapo-gu, Seoul, said, "It usually takes about 30 minutes to get home when I leave work around 6 p.m., but today it took me three hours."

Citizens also expressed dissatisfaction, saying that despite the heavy snowfall, there was little snow removal work done in the heart of Seoul.

One netizen said, "I had to walk for over 30 minutes because the village bus never came due to the traffic jam on my way home," adding, "I did not see any police or personnel conducting snow removal or traffic control at all."

On the night of the 6th, a heavy snowfall covered the parking lot of an apartment in Haan-dong, Gwangmyeong-si, Gyeonggi-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]

This heavy snowfall was caused by cold air below minus 50 degrees Celsius descending from the northwest of the Korean Peninsula meeting relatively warmer air over the West Sea.

The severe cold is expected to continue on the 7th, with heavy snowfall predicted in various areas. Snow accumulation is forecasted to be 3 to 10 cm in the metropolitan area and central inland regions by the morning of the 7th, and 1 to 5 cm in northern Gyeonggi Province and Gangwon Province.

On the west coast of Chungnam, Jeolla Province, Jeju Island, and Ulleungdo, up to 30 cm or more of snow is expected by the 8th, with over 50 cm anticipated in the mountainous areas of Jeju.

On the afternoon of the 6th, when a heavy snow warning was issued across Seoul, cars were waiting at a traffic signal near Samseong Station in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun instructed all levels of government agencies on the 6th to adjust work start times and promptly carry out snow removal to prevent traffic chaos during the morning commute nationwide.

In an urgent directive sent to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Prime Minister Chung urged, "Conduct snow removal operations swiftly to prevent traffic chaos during tomorrow morning’s commute caused by the snow that fell tonight, and ensure thorough safety management to prevent the accumulated snow from freezing."

He added, "Central administrative agencies, local governments, and public institutions in areas under heavy snow warnings should actively implement adjusted work start times to avoid traffic congestion during the morning commute, and encourage private institutions and organizations to participate as well."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.