Heavy snowfall causes traffic chaos in Seoul

SEOUL, Jan. 4 (Yonhap) -- Heavier than forecast snowfall hit Seoul and other
parts of central South Korea on Monday, triggering traffic chaos and forcing
airlines to cancel all domestic flights and delay some international flights on
the first work day of the new year.

According to city officials and weathermen, about 20 centimeters of snow had
accumulated in Seoul as of 9:00 a.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration
(KMA) said, issuing a heavy snow alert for the capital city, Incheon and
surrounding areas.
The unusually heavy snow disrupted traffic on Seoul's major roads and highways,
forcing citizens on their first work day of the new year to flock to subways,
buses and other public transportation.
Some ministers were late for the first cabinet meeting presided over by President
Lee Myung-bak at presidential palace due to the traffic congestion caused by
heavy snowfall.
Officials said Seoul's urban highways and riverside expressways already resembled
a huge parking lot, due to the heavy traffic congestion.
The municipal authorities closed all mountain roads leading to the downtown area
and controlled traffic on hilly roads, they said.
Airlines were forced to cancel all domestic flights out of Gimpo Airport on the
western outskirts of Seoul, while severe international flight delays were
reported at Incheon International Airport, further west of the capital.
"Snowfall began at 5 a.m. in Seoul and as much as 7.5 centimeters was recorded in
just two hours. Snow is expected to stop falling Monday evening," said an
official at the KMA.
"With the temperature plunging to minus 6.9 degrees early Monday morning, most
roads in Seoul and neighboring areas are expected to become icy," the official
said, asking motorists to exert special caution.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it has mobilized about 3,500 civil
servants and 1,200 vehicles to spray snow-melting calcium chloride on all major
roads and highways.
(END)