Kim Dong-yeon Orders Emergency Evacuation for Residents in Vulnerable Facilities Amid Heavy Snow

[Suwon Ilbo=Kim Gap-dong] As a heavy snow advisory took effect in the Seoul metropolitan area on the 27th, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon ordered emergency evacuation for residents in vulnerable facilities such as vinyl greenhouses.

The province plans to fully cover accommodation and other expenses related to the emergency evacuation.

Governor Kim Dong-yeon instructed Lee Jong-don, director of the Safety Management Office, stating, “Weather forecasts predict significant snowfall in Gyeonggi Province from today (27th) to tomorrow morning (28th),” and ordered “immediate emergency evacuation measures for residents in vinyl greenhouses and aging facilities vulnerable to heavy snow.”

Accordingly, the province issued directives through official documents to all 31 cities and counties to conduct rapid on-site inspections and implement evacuation measures before sunset.

Approximately 5,500 residents are estimated to be living in 2,700 vinyl greenhouses across the province.

The province plans to provide full support for accommodation and meal expenses from the Gyeonggi Province Disaster Relief Fund when residents in need of evacuation due to heavy snow relocate to nearby accommodation facilities such as motels. Accommodation support is provided up to 70,000 won per day, and meal support up to 9,000 won per meal.

Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province experienced the heaviest November snowfall since records began. As of 4 p.m. on the 27th, an average of 15.5 cm has been recorded, with Gunpo at 27.9 cm and Uiwang at 27.4 cm, and additional snow is forecasted through tomorrow.

The province elevated the emergency level of its disaster safety countermeasures headquarters from level 1 to level 2 at 2 p.m. on the 27th in response to the heavy snow situation. Gyeonggi Province cautioned residents to use public transportation given the slippery commute conditions expected from the heavy snow and to exercise caution against slipping and falling accidents.