On the morning of the 27th, when a heavy snow advisory was issued for Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gangwon, Jeonbuk, and parts of Gyeongbuk, citizens are commuting to work at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Reporter Yoon Seong-ho captured the scene. Around 5:30 AM in Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, a power outage affected 174 households due to a snowstorm of around 20 cm. According to the Korea Electric Power Corporation, it is suspected that a tree, weighed down by the heavy snow, fell and made contact with a power pole and cables, causing the outage. Emergency personnel have been deployed to restore power.
In addition, at approximately 6:10 AM near the Namyangju Tunnel on the Guri-Pocheon Expressway towards Seoul, an SUV and a cargo truck collided. While there were no injuries, partial road closures due to the accident are causing traffic delays during rush hour. The police believe that vehicles skidded on the snow-covered roads while exiting the tunnel, leading to the accident. Police and Seohaean Expressway officials are controlling traffic lanes and conducting snow removal as part of the accident recovery process.
As of the morning, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters reported that 96 passenger vessels on 74 routes, including Mokpo to Hongdo and Pohang to Ulleung, ceased operations. In Seoul, four road sections, including Jahamun Three-way Intersection to Bugak Golf Course, Samcheong Tunnel, Jahamun Three-way Intersection to Sajik Park, and from the Board of Audit and Inspection to Woojeong Park, were closed.
According to Seoul city and the Korea Meteorological Administration, snow accumulation exceeded 20 cm in northeastern areas like Seongbuk-gu and Gangbuk-gu. It is rare in recent years for Seoul to record snowfall around 20 cm. As of 7 AM, Seongbuk recorded 20.6 cm, Gangbuk 20.4 cm, Dobong 16.4 cm, and Eunpyeong 16.0 cm, while the Songwol-dong weather station in Jongno-gu recorded 16.5 cm. Access to 185 entrances of seven national parks, including Bukhansan and Seoraksan, has also been restricted.
Earlier, at 3 AM on the 27th, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters activated the first level of emergency response for heavy snow and raised the heavy snow alert level from “interest” to “caution.” They urged thorough prevention of damage from traffic congestion during commutes, multi-vehicle collisions on icy roads, and pedestrian safety incidents.