Sangmin Lee Visits Jeolla Region Amid Heavy Snowfall... Urges "Prompt Snow Removal and Support"

Visit to Jeonju Eoeun Tunnel and Gimje Vinyl House Collapse Site

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] Minister of the Interior and Safety Sangmin Lee visited the damage sites following a record snowfall of over 60cm in the Jeolla region, encouraging officials and urging prompt snow removal and support for victims on the 24th.

Since the snowfall began on the 21st, snow accumulation was recorded as 63.7cm in Sunchang, 57.2cm in Imsil, 45.7cm in Jeongeup, 15.6cm in Jeonju, 25.5cm in Gimje, and 40cm in Gwangju. So far, a total of 152 collapses have occurred, including 111 vinyl greenhouses and 37 livestock barns, and the number of reported damages is expected to increase.

Accordingly, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has operated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters since 11 p.m. on the night of the 20th, maintaining an emergency system to minimize public damage, while local governments are making every effort to remove snow and restore damaged sites.

During his visit to Jeonju City that day, Minister Lee inspected the damage situation and listened to difficulties on site. He ordered a prompt damage survey and early support measures for recovery. He also toured the brine spraying device near Eoeun Tunnel and urged active consideration of installing brine spraying devices in areas where they can be effectively used for snow removal.

At the collapsed vinyl greenhouse site in Gimje City, he checked the damage and listened to difficulties, instructing officials to do their best to restore the area quickly so that affected residents can return to their daily lives as soon as possible, encouraging those involved to complete restoration promptly.

Minister Lee emphasized, “I believe the public has experienced inconvenience and damage due to the unusual heavy snowfall and cold wave at the beginning of winter. Relevant agencies will respond with full force to ensure rapid damage recovery and thorough snow removal,” and urged, “The public should refrain from going out as much as possible to prevent damage from the heavy snow and cold wave, and when going out, be sure to familiarize themselves with public action guidelines and take care of their health.”

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