Typhoon Saomai moves northwest; poses threat to Korea

Typhoon Saomai, the 14th of the season, is moving northwest, resulting in cancelled flights at airports such as Yosu and Mokpo and suspending the operation of coastal passenger ships on 53 of the total 102 routes in waters off Jeju Island and the South and East Seas for a second day.

As a result, tens of thousand people who went to their hometowns on islands in the South Sea for family reunions over Chuseok holidays were left stranded.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), typhoon Saomai is stronger than typhoon Prapiroon, the season`s 12th, which landed on the peninsula accompanied by strong winds and caused heavy damage early this month.

The KMA said that extensive damage is feared to take place from Thursday, when the southern region is placed under the influence of the typhoon.

According to the Korea Maritime Transportation Cooperative, headquartered in Seoul, the operations of coastal passenger ships have all been suspended since Tuesday, stranding some 30,000 visitors in their island hometowns. It said that the operation of a considerable number of coastal passenger ships is unlikely until Saturday or even Sunday.

Since the operation of passenger boats on six routes connecting Jeju and other regions was halted on Wednesday, some 2000 visitors to Jeju Island who were slated to use the ships flocked to Jeju International Airport, creating serious confusion. In Jeju, only flights to Mokpo were cancelled, while others operated as scheduled.

Some 3,000 vessels took emergency shelter at ports on Jeju Island, and climbing Mt. Halla was banned. The local governments in southern provinces such as Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do placed their officials on emergency duty.