"Snow bomb"... Emergency on my way home...Seoul Subway Increased Service

[Anchor]
A lot of snow piled up in the Seoul metropolitan area during the day, putting the movement of citizens ahead of work on alert.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to increase the number of train services by extending the concentrated dispatch time during subway rush hour by 30 minutes.

Let me find out more about it. Reporter Cha Jung Yoon!

Please tell me more about Seoul's public transportation measures.

[Reporter]
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to increase subway and bus services during rush hour as heavy snow is expected to cause road congestion in downtown Seoul even in the middle of the day.

First of all, it was decided to increase the concentrated dispatch time during rush hour by 30 more minutes for Seoul Subway Line 2, 5, 6, 7, and 8, which are operated exclusively by the Seoul Transportation Corporation.

In other words, the concentrated dispatch time to work on weekdays is extended by 30 minutes from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and the afternoon commute from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

As a result, the subway will operate 20 more times during rush hour and 15 more times during rush hour.

Based on the departure time of the garage, the city bus has also decided to extend the concentrated dispatch time by 30 minutes.

As much snow is expected until tomorrow morning (28th), the Seoul Metropolitan Government has decided to maintain increased public transportation during commuting hours while the second phase of snow removal response is maintained.

[Anchor]
With the expansion of heavy snow warnings across the country, the main level has also been upgraded.

Please also deliver the current government response.

[Reporter]
The Ministry of Public Administration and Security announced that from 2 p.m. today, it will raise the warning level of heavy snow crisis from 'caution' to 'alert'.

The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters asked each local government to focus on preventing damage such as traffic congestion on commuting, multiple crashes on icy roads, and pedestrian safety accidents.

In addition, after the snow removal work on major roads, follow-up snow removal such as side roads, alleys, and sidewalks were carried out, and snow removal was requested to be placed around the bus stop so that local residents could make good use of the snow removal.

As of 11 a.m. today, the fire department said it had carried out a total of 213 firefighting activities, including rescuing two citizens isolated due to heavy snow and taking emergency measures.

As a lot of snow fell across the country, sea routes and major national parks were also controlled.

The passenger ship was closed to 89 vessels in 70 routes across the country, including the sea route from Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province to Ulleungdo Island and Incheon to Baengnyeong Island.

In addition, 290 places in 12 national parks, including Bukhansan Mountain, Taebaeksan Mountain, Seoraksan Mountain, and Deogyusan Mountain, are prohibited from entering.

Each local government, including the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Gyeonggi-do Province, is making all-out efforts to remove snow by mobilizing emergency personnel and equipment.

I'm Cha Jungyoon of YTN from Seoul City Hall.