Dongdaemun-gu Awarded Best District in Comprehensive Evaluation of Winter Snow Removal Measures

Comprehensive Evaluation Results of Seoul City-Led 2020/2021 Snow Removal Measures: Selected Among 32 Institutions... Dongdaemun-gu's Self Emergency Alerts Based on Weather Conditions and Snow Removal Work Involving All Staff

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Dongdaemun-gu (Mayor You Deok-yeol) was selected as the best-gu institution among 32 institutions including 25 autonomous districts, 6 road offices, and the Seoul Facilities Management Corporation in the ‘2020/2021 Snow Removal Measures Comprehensive Evaluation’ hosted by Seoul City, earning the honor of being an excellent institution for seven consecutive years through efficient and practical snow removal measures.

This evaluation comprehensively assessed the snow removal measures performance from November 15 last year to March 15 this year, focusing on Seoul City’s pre-preparation for snow removal, snow removal measures involving citizens, eco-friendly snow removal measures, and securing citizen safety through rapid snow removal during heavy snowfall.

Dongdaemun-gu deployed a total of 7,181 personnel including public officials, sanitation workers, private snow removal contractors, and professional organizations, along with 1,634 vehicles and equipment, and 1,406 tons of snow removal agents, aiming to minimize inconvenience to residents through rapid snow removal during sudden heavy snowfall, induce voluntary participation of residents in snow removal, and build a safe city free from fall accidents with advanced snow removal operations during the 2020/2021 winter snow removal measures.

Specifically, the snow removal status on back roads, mountain passes, arterial roads, park walking trails, and river embankment trails was monitored in real-time at the Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters situation room through method-use and multi-purpose CCTVs installed on roads, parks, and riversides, strengthening rapid response. Dongdaemun-gu also produced and distributed 40,000 small-capacity (3kg) snow removal agent bags to facilitate snow removal and support resident autonomous snow removal.

In addition, a cooperative system was established with 14 religious organizations, providing them with snow removal agents and tools, spreading a culture where residents can clear snow by themselves.

Furthermore, the operation of snow removal machines for sidewalks was expanded, preventing fall accidents that could occur during initial snow removal on arterial roads. A screening device to maximize the recycling effect of hardened snow removal agents and an automated machine called the Snow Removal Agent Safety Cutter, which prevents worker safety accidents and increases loading efficiency during snow removal agent loading, were introduced.

Especially on January 6 and January 12, when snowfall amounts reached 5.2cm and 6.4cm respectively, unprecedented cold waves and heavy snow caused major traffic disruptions across Seoul and the Gyeonggi area. At that time, Dongdaemun-gu broke away from Seoul City’s uniform emergency alerts and implemented its own three-stage emergency alert tailored to Dongdaemun-gu’s weather conditions, deploying all staff and focusing all efforts on snow removal operations.

As a result of these differentiated and practical snow removal measures from other institutions, residents were able to spend a safe winter without traffic inconvenience or fall accidents, and Dongdaemun-gu was selected as the best institution in the Seoul City evaluation.

You Deok-yeol, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, stated, “The most important thing in implementing snow removal measures is to establish detailed plans to ensure practical snow removal work and strengthen professional snow removal capabilities. We will supplement snow removal measures from now on for the next winter and enhance the professionalism of snow removal measures to provide residents with a safe and comfortable passage environment even in heavy snowfall situations.”

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