Seoul City Implements Comprehensive Winter Measures in Five Key Areas: Cold Wave, Snow Removal, Safety, Health Environment, and Livelihood

Support for Homeless Winter Supplies and Heating Costs for Child Protection Facilities... Expansion of Energy Voucher Eligibility
Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Operating 24 Hours, Emergency Subway and Bus Transport Plans for Snowfall
Safety Measures for Large Crowds, Special Safety Inspections at Over 600 Venues Including Performance Halls and Stadiums

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government will activate the '2022 Winter Comprehensive Measures' for four months from December 15 this year to March 15 next year to ensure that all Seoul citizens can spend a warm and safe winter.

According to Seoul City on the 13th, the city announced the '2022 Winter Comprehensive Measures' and selected 17 tasks across five major areas: cold wave, snow removal, safety, health & environment, and livelihood. First, to support vulnerable groups during winter, the city will provide more extensive assistance to those vulnerable to cold waves. Winter supplies for the homeless will increase by 58.6% from last year to 80,600 items, daily necessities for residents of jjokbang (small rooms) will be provided at 41,185 items, and the number of low-income households receiving support will increase by 18.2% from last year to 260,000 households, each receiving 50,000 won for winter measures. Through cooperation with private companies and others, heating costs worth 1 billion won will be supported for small-scale living facilities such as child protection centers.

For 36,145 vulnerable elderly people requiring care, in addition to regular welfare checks, safety will be confirmed by phone or visits every other day during cold wave warnings. From this year, recipients of housing and education benefits have been newly added to the 'energy voucher' support program, which can be used to purchase electricity and gas, increasing the number of beneficiary households by 35% to 201,000. Additionally, the Hope Ondol Warm Winter Fund is currently being raised with a target of about 44.6 billion won, 13% more than last year.

To prepare for heavy snowfall and minimize citizen inconvenience, the 'Disaster Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' will operate 24 hours a day. At 54 key management sites including steep slopes, snow removal vulnerable areas, and heavy snow damage zones, a double and triple safety net will be established with automatic brine spraying devices, dedicated equipment and personnel, and forward bases for special management. Safety inspections will also be conducted on transportation facilities such as 340 subway stations in preparation for heavy snow and cold waves.

In addition, bus-only lanes have been newly secured as routes for snow removal vehicles, and when citizens use Kakao Map navigation, heavy snow information will be automatically displayed to encourage reducing traffic on snowy roads. To facilitate smooth public transportation use during heavy snowfall, emergency operation measures have been prepared: during snow removal stage 2, subway and bus operations during commuting hours will be extended by 30 minutes, and by 60 minutes at stage 3.

In preparation for areas and events expected to gather large crowds during the year-end and New Year holidays, thorough safety measures will be established in advance through consultations with related organizations such as autonomous districts, police, and fire departments. A full survey will be conducted on 50 crowded multi-person gathering areas with high congestion such as Hongdae and Gangnam Station. Special safety inspections will also be conducted at about 600 multi-use facilities including performance halls, stadiums, and traditional markets.

To prepare for the twin-demic of COVID-19 and influenza occurring simultaneously, vaccination is encouraged instead of restrictions such as social distancing. COVID-19 vaccines can be administered at 3,397 health centers and designated medical institutions. The city is operating one screening clinic and temporary screening clinic per autonomous district for COVID-19 testing.

Furthermore, to prepare for the energy crisis, winter energy stable supply plans have been established, energy supply facilities are being inspected, and public institutions are limiting indoor temperatures to 17℃ (last year 18℃) to conserve energy. Stability of prices for everyday goods is also being pursued by expanding the supply of food during the kimchi-making season and major holidays.

Jung Soo-yong, Director of Planning and Coordination at Seoul City, said, "We will do our utmost to protect the health and safety of Seoul citizens from cold waves and disaster accidents during winter through comprehensive winter measures," and added, "We hope everyone will also show warm concern for neighbors facing difficult living conditions during winter."

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