South Korea troops mobilised after record snow

(REUTERS)

The heaviest snowfall in a century has brought cities on South Korea's east coast to a standstill.

Thousands of soldiers were mobilised to rescue stranded residents as up to a metre of snow fell. Hundreds of motorists were stranded and dozens of buildings collapsed. North Korea also recorded the coldest January in 26 years.

The weather bureau has forecast more heavy snow for the region on Monday.

The country's capital, Seoul, and main industrial hubs were not affected by the storm.

The heavy snow comes just a few weeks after temperatures hit record lows, causing the Han River in central Seoul to ice over for the first time in years.