Jeju to Mount All-Out Response to Heavy Snow and Cold Waves, Aiming for "Zero Casualties for Eight Consecutive Years"

Emergency duty system for four months starting November 15

Surveillance of 253 disaster-prone sites and AI-powered snow removal

Transportation support for passengers stranded at the airport and visitors on 1100 Road

To protect residents and tourists from heavy snow and cold waves this winter and achieve “zero casualties for eight consecutive years,” Jeju Special Self-Governing Province will operate its winter natural disaster response period from November 15, 2026, through March 15, 2027. It will fully activate a proactive, on-the-ground response system, including intensive management of 253 disaster-prone sites, the development of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based integrated smart snow-removal platform, and emergency transportation support for passengers stranded at Jeju International Airport.

On the 4th, with Jeju Governor Wi Seonggon presiding, the “2026 Winter Natural Disaster Response Preparedness Inspection Meeting” was held with officials from the provincial and municipal governments, disaster management agencies, regional volunteer disaster prevention groups and other related organizations in attendance. The meeting focused on reviewing response plans by sector. Provided by Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.

According to Jeju Province on November 4, the province held a meeting that afternoon at its Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters to review its preparedness for natural disasters in winter 2026. Chaired by Governor Wi Seong-gon and attended by officials from the provincial government, administrative cities, disaster management agencies, local volunteer disaster prevention groups and other relevant organizations, the meeting focused on reviewing response plans by sector.

During the four-month winter response period beginning November 15, the province will maintain an emergency duty system and strengthen inspections and surveillance of 253 disaster-prone sites, including icy roads, snow-removal vulnerable areas and coastal areas.

The province plans to continuously monitor weather information and manage situations in stages. It will also use KakaoTalk group chat rooms, including “Hondibang,” to ensure that relevant organizations can quickly share updates and coordinate their responses.

In particular, to prevent icy roads and traffic disruptions caused by heavy snowfall in winter, the province has secured 10,776 tons of salt and 2,893 tons of calcium chloride in advance. It will also check the operating condition of 58 snow-removal vehicles and place sandbags at 1,752 locations along major roads.

The province will apply deicing agents in advance starting at the preliminary heavy-snow warning stage. It will also complete an “integrated smart snow-removal platform” by December 2026. The platform will use AI to analyze weather and road-surface information in real time and determine snow-removal priorities.

In case flight disruptions caused by heavy snow or strong winds leave passengers stranded at Jeju International Airport, the province will operate an emergency transportation system using chartered buses and an emergency taxi volunteer group, while stepping up support for passengers stranded overnight. It will also prepare a separate transportation plan to help visitors who remain in the area travel safely when 1100 Road is closed as snow-flower visitors flock to the area in winter.

The province will further strengthen safety management in areas closely connected to residents’ daily lives, including support for people vulnerable to cold waves and the management of agricultural, fisheries and livestock facilities. It will use 3,862 disaster-response helpers and 271 resident evacuation support team members to protect vulnerable people, and inspect cold-wave shelters, heated benches and other cold-wave mitigation facilities.

The province will strengthen advance inspections of vulnerable facilities, including greenhouses, livestock facilities and fish farms, as well as measures to prevent water meters from freezing and burst pipes and systems for emergency repairs. It will also reinforce cooperation with relevant organizations, including fire services, police and military units.

The meeting also discussed response efforts and areas for improvement related to storms and floods, heat waves and droughts this past summer. The province achieved zero casualties from summer storms and floods for eight consecutive years, reduced heat-related illnesses by about 15% year over year by expanding heat-wave mitigation facilities to 202 locations, and activated an early drought detection system. However, with one death from a heat-related illness during the heat wave, the province decided to step up on-site monitoring of vulnerable people, improve its system for ensuring compliance with evacuation orders, and secure emergency water supplies in preparation for prolonged droughts.

Governor Wi Seong-gon said, “Advance preparation and a swift initial response are paramount when dealing with natural disasters in winter. Jeju is particularly vulnerable to disruptions to roads and air and sea transportation from heavy snow and strong winds, so please prepare thoroughly to minimize inconvenience and damage for residents and tourists. Each organization should clearly understand its role and work closely with the others to ensure the response system functions properly in an actual disaster. Please maintain a thorough state of readiness, prioritizing the lives and safety of residents and tourists.”

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