PM calls for better contingency plan to deal with heavy snow
- 공보실
- 2010.01.21
- Hit 3402
prime minister-heavy snow
PM calls for better contingency plan to deal with heavy snow
By Shim Sun-ah
SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's prime minister said on Friday that the government should map out comprehensive contingency plans to better respond to heavy snowfall in the future.
The government came under fire for failing to forecast and adequately cope with unusually heavy snowfall that paralyzed traffic in and out of Seoul on Monday. A total of 27.8 centimeters of snow, the heaviest on record, severely disrupted road and air travel, according to the weather authorities. The snow and icy roads caused distress especially among commuters who spent hours stuck in traffic on the first business day of the new year.
"The government should revamp its contingency plan for heavy snow to befit the reality and quickly react to a recurrence of similar incidents," Prime Minister Chung Un-chan was quoted as saying in a policy coordination meeting with eight Cabinet ministers.
Chung, in particular, emphasized the need to revise a manual for clearing snow piled on roads leading to major tunnels in Seoul's city center, as well as roads with steep inclines, his officials said.
The meeting also discussed ways to better protect those in the lower income brackets, the homeless, senior citizens living alone and others deemed vulnerable to the wintry conditions, the officials said.
On Thursday, the National Emergency Management Agency said it will revise a bill to levy a fine of up to 1 million won (US$882) on those who fail to remove snow piled in front of their homes and stores. Clearing snow is not mandatory under present law.
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