The Seoul city government said it would convene a meeting at 5 p.m. on the 25th chaired by Administrative Vice Mayor 2 Kim Seong-bo to review the cold wave response and activate an emergency response system.
That is because the Korea meteorological Administration plans to issue a cold wave advisory across Seoul as of 9 p.m. that day. According to the Korea meteorological Administration, the low in Seoul on the 26th will drop to minus 12 degrees Celsius, and due to strong winds, the wind chill is expected to fall to minus 19.
To minimize damage to residents from the cold wave, the Seoul city government will: maintain a 24-hour comprehensive cold wave support situation room; issue a water pipe freeze warning level and operate a freeze response situation room for swift restoration; maintain an emergency room surveillance system with 68 medical institutions participating; protect vulnerable groups such as homeless people, residents of tiny rooms, and seniors living alone; and maintain an emergency response system.
In particular, to protect homeless people and those vulnerable on the streets, the Seoul city government will strengthen on-site patrols and counseling, and expand emergency shelter beds and the provision of winter gear. It will also check on residents needing care, such as seniors living alone and people with disabilities, and maintain a cooperation system with related agencies to prepare for emergencies.
Administrative Vice Mayor 2 Kim Seong-bo of the Seoul city government said, "Please do everything possible to protect vulnerable groups so that there are no casualties from the sudden cold wave," and added, "Each department and district should manage the situation without gaps and respond quickly to citizen inconveniences such as reports of frozen water pipes."