Second Vice Minister Jeong Uigyeong: "Prepare Thoroughly for Heavy Snow and Icing; Snow-Removal Equipment Must Operate Immediately"

Visits Gangwon Province ahead of winter to inspect safety management
24-hour situation room to operate for four months from November 15

Jeong Uigyeong, Second Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, visited Gangwon Province, where the risk of heavy snowfall is high, ahead of the start of winter in earnest and called for proactive road safety management. He also urged officials to make the safety of field workers involved in snow removal their top priority.

On October 21, Vice Minister Jeong visited the Yongdae snow-removal equipment depot and other sections vulnerable to icing, including the Hangyeryeong area, to check the supply of snow-removal materials and the state of preparedness for advance response.

Jeong Uigyeong, Second Vice Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (third from left), inspects preparations for winter snow-removal equipment with officials at the Yongdae Snow Removal Equipment Depot in Inje County, Gangwon Province, on the 21st. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport

That day, Vice Minister Jeong personally inspected snow-removal materials and equipment, including calcium chloride and salt. He said, "Gangwon Province needs more intensive management than other regions because it experiences frequent heavy snowfall every year. It is therefore important to make thorough preparations in advance and implement road snow-removal measures without a hitch. Please mobilize all available resources to ensure the public can travel safely."

He also pointed to risk factors identified in the Korea Meteorological Administration's forecast for this winter. While inspecting the area around Hangyeryeong, which is vulnerable to icing, Vice Minister Jeong said, "This winter, the effects of El Nino will increase road safety risks, including sudden cold snaps and wet snow (heavy snow that contains moisture). In areas at high risk of icing, thoroughly inspect the equipment in advance so that remotely controlled devices, such as automatic saltwater-spraying systems, can operate immediately without delay when weather advisories are issued."

In the afternoon, he visited the Yangyang Branch Office, encouraged field staff, and stressed that the safety of workers at snow-removal sites must come first.

Meeting with field staff, Vice Minister Jeong said, "I appreciate the dedication of all our staff, who work under difficult conditions to protect the public's lives and ensure traffic safety during winter. Above all, please put the safety of field workers first when carrying out winter snow-removal and other on-site work."

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has designated the four-month period from November 15 this year through March 15 next year as the "Winter Road Snow-Removal Measures Period."

During this period, it will operate a 24-hour comprehensive snow-removal situation room and closely manage 121 locations vulnerable to icing that were designated earlier this year.

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