Typhoon warnings issued in S.Korea; businesses to halt operations

HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering

05/09/2022 24:57

By Joori Roh
    SEOUL, Sept 5 (Reuters) - South Korea issued weather
advisories and raised its typhoon alert level on Monday as
typhoon Hinnamnor neared, with heavy rain and strong wind
already lashing southern parts of the country.
    The typhoon, travelling northward at a speed of 19 km per
hour (12 mph), is expected to land 90 kilometres southwest of
the port city Busan early on Tuesday, after reaching waters off
Jeju Island around Monday midnight.
    "Very strong winds and heavy rains are expected across the
country through to Tuesday due to the typhoon, while there will
be places where very high waves cross breakwaters and coastal
roads along with storm and tsunami," the Korea Meteorological
Administration (KMA) said.
    Warnings have been issued across the southern cities,
including Gwangju, Busan, Daegu and Ulsan, following that in the
southern island of Jeju, while the Central Disaster and Safety
Countermeasures Headquarters on Sunday upgraded its emergency
response posture to the highest level for the first time in five
years for typhoons.
    The port city and its neighbouring area have received rain
throughout the weekend, with more rain is forecast for Monday
and Tuesday.
    On Sunday, President Yoon Suk-yeol held a meeting with the
authorities to review the response system, while promising to
put all efforts in minimising damage from the typhoon.
    Local media reported on Sunday that the country's three
South Korean shipbuilders – Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore
Engineering  009540.KS , Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine
Engineering  042660.KS , Samsung Heavy Industries  010140.KS  –
are expected to halt operation on Tuesday. 
    Other businesses such as steelmaker Posco  005490.KS  are
also expected to suspend operations, while major airlines such
as Korean Air Lines  003490.KS  and Asiana Airlines  020560.KS 
have reportedly cancelled some of its flights departing after 1
p.m. Monday (0400 GMT).

 (Reporting by Joori Roh; Editing by Kim Coghill)
 ((joori.roh@thomsonreuters.com; +82 2 6936 1493;))