'Cold Wave Warning Across Seoul' Seoul City Strives to Minimize Damage... "Strengthening Protection for Vulnerable Groups"

Activation of Comprehensive Support Situation Room on 29th Due to Cold Wave Warning
Strengthened Protection Measures for Vulnerable Groups Including Homeless, Ssokbang Residents, and Elderly Living Alone Implemented

Seoul City Hall

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] As the Korea Meteorological Administration issued a cold wave warning for the entire Seoul area on the 29th, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced that it will activate the Seoul Cold Wave Comprehensive Support Situation Room and begin emergency duty.

A cold wave warning is issued when the morning minimum temperature is expected to remain below -15 degrees Celsius for two or more consecutive days, or when the temperature drops by more than 15 degrees compared to the previous day and is expected to be 3 degrees Celsius or lower. In 2021, cold wave advisories were issued for 10 days and cold wave warnings for 4 days, totaling 14 days.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government operates the Cold Wave Comprehensive Support Situation Room, which is composed of the Situation Management Team, Life Support Team, and Facility Recovery Team, to prevent damage caused by the cold wave. The Situation Room monitors weather conditions, damage status, protection status of vulnerable groups and facilities, and manages response activities.

Seoul has disseminated citizen action guidelines for health management through social media (SNS) and emergency disaster text messages. Additionally, as the use of heating devices is expected to increase due to the rapid temperature drop, special attention has been advised to prevent safety accidents.

In particular, the mobile ‘Seoul Safety App’ provides citizen action guidelines and real-time disaster alerts during various disasters, including cold waves. The ‘Seoul Safety App’ can be downloaded from Google Play, the App Store, and other platforms.

To prevent casualties caused by the cold wave, Seoul plans to check on vulnerable elderly people in need of care by phone every other day and visit them if calls are unanswered. Counseling for homeless people and increased personnel and patrols in areas with high concentrations of homeless individuals will also be strengthened. Furthermore, winter heating supplies and other relief items will be distributed as needed.

Choi Jin-seok, Director of the Seoul Safety Headquarters, said, "Since the cold wave has suddenly arrived, we will immediately activate the Cold Wave Comprehensive Support Situation Room to carefully ensure that there is no harm to citizens." He added, "We ask all citizens to take special care of their health in preparation for the severe cold and to show interest and consideration for neighbors in need."

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