On the 28th, a day before the Lunar New Year, 111 flights were canceled and 96 ferries experienced operational disruptions due to snowfall in Seoul and the metropolitan area, as well as in Gangwon, Gyeongbuk, and Jeolla regions.
The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters noted that as of 10 a.m. that day, heavy snowfall warnings were issued for Daejeon, Sejong, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongbuk.
Heavy snowfall advisories were issued for Seoul and Incheon, as well as parts of Daegu, Gwangju, Gyeonggi, and Jeonbuk. However, the heavy snowfall advisory in Seoul was lifted as of 1 p.m. the same day.
In contrast, Gyeonggi Province elevated its emergency response system from Level 1 to Level 3 that day. The emergency Level 3 shifts the overall management chief from the natural disaster response team leader to the natural disaster division chief. Additionally, 37 personnel will respond to the heavy snowfall situation by adding workers from relevant departments such as livestock, dwellings, forestry, and medical services. Previously, Gyeonggi Province activated emergency Level 3 during the heavy snowfall on Nov. 26 last year.
The headquarters stated that snowfall rates of 1 to 3 cm per hour (with some areas experiencing about 5 cm) could continue until the 29th.
So far, due to the snowfall, 68 flights at Incheon International Airport, 5 at Gimpo, 7 at Gimhae, 16 at Jeju, and 11 at Cheongju have been canceled. Ferries have also experienced operational disruptions on 73 routes, including Yeosu–Geomundo and Incheon–Baengnyeongdo.
Currently, 20 national parks, 527 sections, and 24 local roads are under control.
Additionally, in Chungnam, a single livestock pen collapsed due to the snow; however, there were no casualties.