The Seoul city government said it will activate a 24-hour comprehensive support situation room as a cold wave advisory takes effect across Seoul starting at 9 p.m. on the 5th.
A cold wave advisory is issued when the morning low temperature is expected to drop at least 10 degrees from the previous day to 3 degrees or lower and at least 3 degrees below the seasonal average. It also applies when the morning low is expected to remain 12 degrees or more below the previous day's level for two or more days.
The city will operate the comprehensive support situation room in line with the advisory. Aimed at minimizing cold wave damage, it consists of the situation control team, livelihood support team, energy recovery team, medical quarantine team, and rescue and emergency team.
The 25 district offices will also run their own situation rooms. They will establish a cooperative system to prevent damage, including pre-stocking cold weather and emergency relief supplies. In addition, during the period when the cold wave advisory is in effect, 24 district office buildings will operate 24-hour "cold wave emergency shelters." The Gangbuk District Office, which is using a temporary building due to the construction of a new office, is excluded because the facility is too small.
Han Byung-yong, head of the Seoul Disaster and Safety Office, said, "A biting cold with daily lows below minus 10 degrees is forecast this weekend, and we will do our best to manage the situation to minimize cold wave damage," adding, "Please take care to keep warm and look after your health when going out."