Heavy Snow and Cold Wave Until Weekend... Ministry of the Interior and Safety Urges "Thorough Preparations"

Inspection of Safety Measures for Snow Removal, Fall Accidents, and Collapses

Sang-min Lee, Minister of the Interior and Safety

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] The Ministry of the Interior and Safety held a countermeasure meeting with related agencies on the 20th at 11 a.m. following the issuance of a heavy snow advisory for Seoul, Gyeonggi, Incheon, Gangwon, Jeju, Chungbuk, and Gyeongbuk regions, and ordered thorough preemptive preparations.

According to the weather forecast, rain or snow will begin in most parts of the country from early tomorrow morning. Snowfall is expected to be 5-10cm in northern and eastern Gyeonggi and inland Gangwon, 2-8cm in Seoul, Incheon, southwestern Gyeonggi, central and northern Chungbuk, and northern inland Gyeongbuk, with some areas in northern Gyeonggi and inland Gangwon expected to receive more than 15cm of snow.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Sangmin Lee instructed the following key management measures in anticipation of heavy snowfall until the 24th. First, since heavy snow is expected during the vulnerable response hours at night and early morning, concentrated snow removal will be carried out, including pre-application of de-icing agents on major roads to ensure no traffic disruptions during commuting hours. In particular, thorough management is requested to prevent slip-and-fall accidents on icy roads at bus stops and subway station entrances and exits.

Additionally, pre-inspections and thorough snow removal operations will be conducted on vulnerable sections prone to icing such as bridges and tunnel entrances and exits, as well as on structures vulnerable to collapse such as vinyl greenhouses and livestock sheds. In case of dangerous situations, cooperation with fire departments, police, and other related agencies will be requested to promptly control access and guide detours.

Furthermore, the opening of shelters such as village halls and community centers will be expanded, and thorough preemptive measures will be taken to prevent casualties among cold-vulnerable groups such as residents of small rooms affected by power outages. The use of disaster text messages, subtitle broadcasts, and other means will be instructed to continuously provide information on weather advisories, public action guidelines, and traffic control.

Minister Lee said, “As climate prediction uncertainty has increased compared to previous years, related agencies should prepare to an extent that may seem somewhat excessive,” and “Since heavy snow and cold waves are forecast through the weekend, we ask the public to actively clear snow in front of their homes and to be diligent in winter health management and safety.”

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