Heavy snow, cold wave continue to impact S. Korea; two accident fatalities reported

Those here in Korea witnessed intense snowfall yesterday that disrupted the trip back home and the freezing temperatures overnight made the commute to work this morning equally as treacherous with some regions recording more snow today.

Park Kun-woo reports.

Heavy snow and a cold wave are continuing to affect South Korea.

On Friday morning, snowfall even reached 3 to 8 centimeters per hour in many areas, leading to the accumulation of up to around 15 centimeters of snow in some regions of Jeolla-do Province.

Snow from the previous night, combined with sub-zero temperatures dropping below minus ten degrees Celsius, led to multiple accidents on icy roads.

A cargo truck driver in their 70s died in a crash after skidding and colliding with another truck on the Seohaean Expressway in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do Province.

A passenger in the truck sustained minor injuries.

Another fatality occurred in Hongcheon-gun County, Gangwon-do Province the night before when a person, also in their 70s, was hit by a tow truck dispatched earlier to clear another accident.

Due to harsh weather conditions, over 100 flights from Jeju to other domestic airports were canceled as of Friday at 3 PM.

Around 90 ferries were also canceled, while roads and mountain trails were closed.

The Korea Meteorological Administration urged the public to remain careful about safety and personal health.

It also forecast the cold wave to begin easing next week.

Park Kun-woo, Arirang News.