Up to 30cm of Snow in Two Days... Heavy Snow Warning Raised from 'Interest' to 'Caution' (Comprehensive)

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced on the 27th that, as heavy snow warnings have been issued mainly for the Seoul metropolitan area, Gangwon Province, Jeolla Province, and Gyeongsang Province, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters has activated Level 1 and raised the heavy snow crisis alert level from 'Interest' to 'Caution.'

On the 22nd, when a heavy snow warning was issued across Seoul, officials were clearing Gwanghwamun Square covered with snow that fell overnight. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasted rain or snow in most parts of the country that day. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, from today until the 28th, heavy snowfall is expected nationwide, with 10-20 cm (more than 25 cm in some areas) in the Seoul metropolitan area, 10-20 cm (more than 30 cm in some areas) in Gangwon Province, 5-15 cm (more than 20 cm in some areas) in the Chungcheong region, 5-20 cm (more than 30 cm in some areas) in Jeolla Province, and 3-10 cm (more than 15 cm in some areas) in Gyeongsang Province.

Due to the heavy snow, numerous accidents of varying severity occurred across the country. On the Yeongdong Expressway, an 11-vehicle collision involving buses and passenger cars resulted in about 10 people being injured (2 seriously, 8 lightly), including a passenger car driver and bus passengers, who were transported to hospitals. On the Dangjin-Yeongdeok Expressway in the Sangju section, a 28-vehicle pileup occurred, injuring 12 people lightly, and near Cheonan on the Busan-bound Gyeongbu Expressway, a three-vehicle collision involving a bus injured 16 people.

As of 1 p.m. that day, vehicles were repeatedly stopping and starting in sections such as the 19 km stretch from Cheonan Rest Area to Cheongju IC on the Gyeongbu Expressway, the 6 km stretch from Yongin IC to Yangji Tunnel on the Yeongdong Expressway, and the 5 km stretch from Seopyeongtaek IC to Seohae Bridge on the Seohaean Expressway. As of 3 p.m., the estimated travel times from Seoul to major cities were 3 hours 50 minutes to Daejeon, 3 hours 40 minutes to Gangneung, 5 hours 50 minutes to Daegu and Gwangju, 6 hours 10 minutes to Mokpo, and 6 hours 50 minutes to Busan.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters urged local governments, police, fire departments, and related agencies in areas under heavy snow warnings and regions expected to receive heavy snowfall to thoroughly establish emergency response systems during the Lunar New Year holiday. They also requested controlling access to vulnerable areas and facilities to prepare for structural collapses caused by snow and to promptly evacuate nearby residents.

Ko Gi-dong, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (acting Minister of the Interior and Safety), stated, "To minimize damage caused by heavy snow and cold waves during the Lunar New Year holiday, the government will mobilize all its capabilities for a full-scale response," and added, "Please familiarize yourselves with safety guidelines such as the winter season national action rules and pay close attention to personal safety."

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