[Summary] "Can I Get Home?" Concerns Over 'Commute Chaos' Repeating Amid Seoul Heavy Snow Forecast

Seoul City Elevates Snow Removal Emergency Duty to Level 2
Snow Expected Across the Seoul Metropolitan Area from Around 2 PM on the 12th

On the 12th, when heavy snow fell mainly in Seoul, the metropolitan area, and the west coast, citizens were bustling on the streets of Sinchon, Seoul. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the Korea Meteorological Administration issued a heavy snow advisory for the southeastern and southwestern areas of Seoul, concerns are growing that a so-called "rush hour chaos" could occur in Seoul and the greater metropolitan area. The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will raise the snow removal emergency response to Level 2.

The Korea Meteorological Administration stated on the 12th, "Due to a snow cloud band developed longitudinally along the west coast, the area experiencing snowfall is gradually expanding from the west coast to Seoul and southern Gyeonggi Province."

According to the KMA, this snow cloud band was formed by a pressure trough passing north of the Korean Peninsula and is moving northeast at a speed of 40 km/h. As this snow cloud band moves inland, the areas experiencing snowfall are expanding to the metropolitan area from around 2 p.m. today.

In particular, the time when the snowfall is expected to be heaviest coincides with the rush hour for office workers, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. The metropolitan area is expected to receive 1 to 3 cm of snow, while Gangwon Yeongseo is expected to see about 1 to 5 cm of accumulation.

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

As a result, some are worried that the rush hour chaos seen in Seoul might be repeated. Previously, on the 6th, a snowfall of 3.8 cm was recorded in Seoul between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., causing traffic congestion.

This led to thousands of vehicles being trapped in the middle of the roads during rush hour, and public transportation such as buses was delayed by several tens of minutes.

On social networking services (SNS), some office workers expressed concerns about the rush hour chaos caused by the snowfall.

One netizen wrote, "Since they said there would be heavy snow during rush hour, I decided to leave work early," adding, "I hope I can get home safely." Another netizen complained on Twitter, "If I had known it would snow, I wouldn't have brought my car. Now it looks like I'll be stuck on the road today."

Some also expressed worries, saying, "Bus drivers will have the hardest time," and "I'm concerned about the public workers clearing the snow and the self-employed."

On the afternoon of the 12th, when heavy snow fell, Seoul city officials were performing snow removal work at Seoul Plaza. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the Seoul Metropolitan Government started Level 1 emergency snow removal duty at noon today and has now raised it to Level 2. At Level 1, snow removal personnel and vehicles stand by and pre-apply de-icing agents, while Level 2 involves actual snow removal operations.

To this end, the city is deploying 4,000 personnel and 1,000 vehicles and equipment.

If the heavy snowfall worsens, the city can raise the snow removal emergency response up to Level 3. At Level 3, additional reserve personnel and self-loading vehicles are deployed. However, the city currently judges that it is not necessary to raise to Level 3 due to the current snowfall conditions and is proceeding with snow removal operations accordingly.

According to the KMA, the heavy snow advisory areas issued today include the southeastern districts of Songpa, Gangnam, Seocho, and Gangdong, and the southwestern districts of Gangseo, Gwanak, Yangcheon, Guro, Dongjak, Yeongdeungpo, and Geumcheon. A heavy snow advisory is issued for areas where snowfall is expected to accumulate 5 cm or more within 24 hours.

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