Gangwon Province Selected as Outstanding Local Government in Natural Disaster Response Evaluation

Outstanding in Winter Natural Disaster Response Evaluation by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety
Awarded 150 Million Won in Special Disaster Safety Grant Tax

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on December 16 that it was selected as an outstanding institution in the winter natural disaster (heavy snowfall) category in the natural disaster response evaluation organized by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, securing a special disaster safety grant tax of 150 million won as a reward.

A view of Gangwon Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Government.

The winter natural disaster response evaluation is a system that annually selects outstanding institutions among local governments nationwide by comprehensively assessing the status of human and property damage, emergency response system operation, evacuation and control, as well as the overall preparedness and disaster response efforts during the winter season.

The province was highly praised for its proactive and systematic response to minimize damage from heavy snowfall during the last winter season, despite frequent snowstorms, by preventing road congestion, collapse or overturning of snow-vulnerable facilities, and isolation of villages.

In particular, Gangwon Province worked closely with cities and counties to secure snow removal vehicles, spreaders, and de-icing agents in advance. When snowfall was forecast, the province implemented rapid road management by preemptively spreading de-icing agents and shortening the application intervals.

Additionally, the province strengthened preemptive inspections of snow-vulnerable facilities such as rain shelters at traditional markets, vinyl greenhouses, and livestock barns. It also maintained a field-oriented response posture by establishing emergency contact systems to prevent isolation in mountainous villages and pre-positioning snow removal materials.

Furthermore, Gangwon Province had previously been selected as the best institution for winter natural disaster response in both 2017 and 2022, once again demonstrating its top-level disaster response capabilities for heavy snowfall among local governments nationwide.

Cho Youngho, Director of the Natural Disaster Division of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated, "This achievement is the result of active participation by residents and close cooperation among the public, private sector, and military for winter disaster prevention." He added, "We will continue to do our utmost to protect the lives and property of our residents through thorough disaster preparedness and swift response."

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