The slippery roads and delayed bus arrivals were not the only story Monday, when Seoul received its heaviest snowfall on record. Many commuters ― some of whom were seeing this much snow for the first time in their lives ― had their own tales to tell.
Jang Dong-young, a 48-year-old telemarketer, traveled Monday from Jukjeon, Gyeonggi Province, to Chungmuro, central Seoul. It was her first day back at work after recovering from a concussion.
In December, Jang suffered the injury when her bus skidded on ice and collided with three other cars.
"Today, I transferred from the bus to the subway. On subway, I felt I had difficulty in breathing because there were so many commuters," said Jang.
Another commuter, Park Eun-jung, 30, left home in Busan to catch the train bound for Seoul at 6:30 a.m. Her train's departure was delayed by 15 minutes because of heavy snow in the middle of the country.
"It didn't snow in Busan. I was amazed to see such a heavy snowfall in Seoul for the first time. I now know it can snow a lot in Seoul," said Park, who started a job in the city just two weeks ago.
Storeowners in central Seoul left home exceptionally early to open their stores. But instead of being behind the counter, they took to the street to shovel the thick snow.
Kim Yang-tae, 43, left his home near Gimpo Airport at 6:30 a.m. When he arrived at his shop in Chungmuro, he found that the snow in the street was about 10cm deep. He shoveled the snow with a neighbor, and said he would continue until it stopped snowing.
"I am happy to see the snow, but my hands are aching," said Kim.
A man named Lee, who did not want to disclose his first name, was dispatched by Seoul Metro to clean the streets after a heavy-snowfall watch was posted.
"I do not like the snow, perhaps because I am old. But I am concerned about people's safety. When snow falls heavily, the roads are slippery," said Lee with a green broom in hand.
The snow continued to fall in the afternoon with the mercury dipping well below zero.
"My house is located on a hill. It usually takes five minutes to come down. Today it took 20 minutes," said Yoon Sung-jun, 25, a commuter from northwestern Seoul. "I am now concerned about what will happen on my way home. Going up the slippery road worries me."
Kim Daye, a Korea Times intern, contributed to this report. - ED.