Half the cold, twice the warmth: Songpa-gu launches winter cold-snap response plan

Songpa-gu in Seoul will run a comprehensive cold-snap response plan for four months starting Sunday through March 15 next year, aimed at protecting residents from winter cold waves.

With sudden cold snaps driven by frigid air masses expected again this winter, the district plans to expand cold-mitigation facilities and strengthen protections for vulnerable residents and emergency response systems.

Last year, Songpa-gu conducted 75,887 welfare check visits and calls targeting elderly residents living alone — a group particularly vulnerable to cold — and 10,040 visits and calls for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. The district also operated 65 cold-weather rest shelters and added 11 heated seats at bus stops to ease residents' winter discomfort.

This year, the district will expand everyday cold-mitigation facilities.

It will operate 325 heated seats and 18 warming tents at bus stops so commuters can shelter from the cold. The district will also expand its park heated-seat program, which was introduced last year to strong public response. Using 90 million won ($67,500) secured from the Seoul Metropolitan Government's disaster management fund, it plans to install 30 additional heated seats across six parks, including Samjeon Park and Asia Park.

The district will also focus administrative resources on protecting vulnerable residents. A network of 1,273 community disaster helpers — drawn from neighborhood association heads, welfare volunteers and civil defense teams — will visit or call elderly residents living alone and senior households when a cold-wave advisory is issued.

Day, night and holiday patrol teams will also be deployed. Focusing on areas around Seokchon Lake, neighborhood parks and subway stations, the patrols will check on the health and safety of homeless people on the streets, provide cold-weather supplies and offer consultations on placement in welfare facilities.

The district will also step up public information efforts to help residents prevent cold-related harm. Cold-weather safety guidelines will be shared through the district's official blog and large electronic billboards, and emergency text alerts will be sent promptly whenever a cold-wave advisory takes effect.

An emergency response system will also be established. A dedicated cold-snap task force will operate during normal conditions, and a 24-hour situation room will be activated when a cold-wave advisory is issued. The district will maintain emergency recovery cooperation with relevant agencies to handle winter disruptions such as burst pipes and power outages.

Songpa-gu District Mayor Seo Gang-seok said protecting residents from winter cold waves is the district's top priority. "We will expand everyday cold-mitigation facilities and look after vulnerable residents with care, so that all Songpa-gu residents can have a safe and warm winter," Seo said.