Military deploys more personnel, choppers to fight wildfires
The military deployed an additional 990 personnel and 48 helicopters Wednesday to help combat wildfires that have devastated the country's southeastern regions, the defense ministry said.
At least 18 have been killed so far due to a wave of wildfires that began Friday and has since ravaged the southeastern regions, with strong winds hampering firefighting efforts against the spreading blazes.
With the latest deployment, the military has so far mobilized some 6,000 personnel and 242 helicopters to help contain the wildfires, the ministry said.
It has also supplied about 20,000 pieces of relief goods -- such as blankets and ration packs -- as well as 400,000 liters of petroleum to fuel helicopters operated by other government agencies.
In addition, four helicopters from the U.S. Forces Korea, including a UH-60 Blackhawk and a CH-47 Chinook, will also be deployed in the Sancheong area in South Gyeongsang Province.
In a response meeting held earlier in the day, acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho ordered proactively supporting residents in areas hit by the wildfires while emphasizing safety and health guidelines for deployed personnel, the ministry said.
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Korea Herald
26-03-2025
- Korea Herald
Military deploys more personnel, choppers to fight wildfires
The military deployed an additional 990 personnel and 48 helicopters Wednesday to help combat wildfires that have devastated the country's southeastern regions, the defense ministry said. At least 18 have been killed so far due to a wave of wildfires that began Friday and has since ravaged the southeastern regions, with strong winds hampering firefighting efforts against the spreading blazes. With the latest deployment, the military has so far mobilized some 6,000 personnel and 242 helicopters to help contain the wildfires, the ministry said. It has also supplied about 20,000 pieces of relief goods -- such as blankets and ration packs -- as well as 400,000 liters of petroleum to fuel helicopters operated by other government agencies. In addition, four helicopters from the U.S. Forces Korea, including a UH-60 Blackhawk and a CH-47 Chinook, will also be deployed in the Sancheong area in South Gyeongsang Province. In a response meeting held earlier in the day, acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho ordered proactively supporting residents in areas hit by the wildfires while emphasizing safety and health guidelines for deployed personnel, the ministry said.
![[From the Scene] Climate change threatens Jeju's mandarin orange business](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fres.heraldm.com%2Fcontent%2Fimage%2F2024%2F11%2F18%2F20241118050037_0.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
18-11-2024
- Korea Herald
[From the Scene] Climate change threatens Jeju's mandarin orange business
JEJU ISLAND -- Jeju's iconic mandarin orange industry is grappling with mounting challenges as climate change disrupts traditional cultivation practices. This year, prolonged tropical nights and rising temperatures delayed harvests and impacted fruit quality, prompting the island to adapt its agricultural practices. 'Mandarins develop their yellow color when nighttime temperatures fall below 20 degrees Celsius,' said Hyun Jong-ho, manager at the Namwon Agricultural Product Center, one of Jeju's busiest distribution centers. 'This year's prolonged heat has reduced the quantity of harvest-ready mandarins,' Hyun added. Hyun further explained that extreme conditions are increasingly causing delays in ripening and disruptions to harvest timelines. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, tropical nights lasted 63 days from July to September -- nearly double the previous year -- while heatwave days, when temperatures exceed 33 degrees Celsius, totaled 21.4 during the same period. To address these challenges, Jeju authorities revised regulations in October to allow the sale of green mandarins if they meet strict sweetness standards. This adjustment, along with modified size and quality criteria, is expected to slightly boost harvested volume, with open-field production estimated at 408,000 tons this year, up from 398,000 tons in 2023. Despite these efforts, local officials acknowledge the challenges posed by erratic weather patterns, including decreased fruit size and delayed coloring. Meanwhile, subtropical crops are emerging as a potential alternative as Jeju's climate grows warmer. The Agricultural Research Institute for Climate Change Adaptation, under the Rural Development Administration, has introduced 58 subtropical crops and identified 17 promising varieties, including mangoes, passion fruit and dragon fruit. 'To address the declining cultivation areas for traditional crops, we need to develop new varieties and expand subtropical farming techniques,' said Han Hyun-hee, a researcher at the institute. However, transitioning to subtropical fruits is a challenge because their cultivation requires costly greenhouses and a shift from traditional mandarin farming methods. 'Farmers remain hesitant to switch to subtropical crops due to higher initial investments and unfamiliar farming practices,' Han added. Jeju's deep-rooted affection for mandarins reflects their importance to the island's identity and economy. As of 2023, mandarins accounted for 55.8 percent of Jeju's total agricultural revenue, generating 1.32 trillion won that year, with 35.7 percent of Jeju's arable land devoted to citrus farming, according to the Korea Rural Economic Institute. The significance of mandarins is part of the 2024 Jeju Citrus Expo, which celebrates its 12th year. Held from Wednesday to Tuesday in Seogwipo, the event features exhibitions, business consultations, and forums addressing climate resilience and varietal development. 'Mandarins are more than just a crop -- they're a symbol of Jeju's heritage and resilience,' said Ko Byung-gi, chairman of the organizing committee, highlighting the event's dual role in advancing the mandarin industry and fostering global collaboration.
Korea Herald
18-11-2024
- Korea Herald
[From the Scene] Climate change threatens Jeju's mandarin orange business
JEJU ISLAND -- Jeju's iconic mandarin orange industry is grappling with mounting challenges as climate change disrupts traditional cultivation practices. This year, prolonged tropical nights and rising temperatures delayed harvests and impacted fruit quality, prompting the island to adapt its agricultural practices. 'Mandarins develop their yellow color when nighttime temperatures fall below 20 degrees Celsius,' said Hyun Jong-ho, manager at the Namwon Agricultural Product Center, one of Jeju's busiest distribution centers. 'This year's prolonged heat has reduced the quantity of harvest-ready mandarins,' Hyun added. Hyun further explained that extreme conditions are increasingly causing delays in ripening and disruptions to harvest timelines. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, tropical nights lasted 63 days from July to September -- nearly double the previous year -- while heatwave days, when temperatures exceed 33 degrees Celsius, totaled 21.4 during the same period. To address these challenges, Jeju authorities revised regulations in October to allow the sale of green mandarins if they meet strict sweetness standards. This adjustment, along with modified size and quality criteria, is expected to slightly boost harvested volume, with open-field production estimated at 408,000 tons this year, up from 398,000 tons in 2023. Despite these efforts, local officials acknowledge the challenges posed by erratic weather patterns, including decreased fruit size and delayed coloring. Meanwhile, subtropical crops are emerging as a potential alternative as Jeju's climate grows warmer. The Agricultural Research Institute for Climate Change Adaptation, under the Rural Development Administration, has introduced 58 subtropical crops and identified 17 promising varieties, including mangoes, passion fruit and dragon fruit. 'To address the declining cultivation areas for traditional crops, we need to develop new varieties and expand subtropical farming techniques,' said Han Hyun-hee, a researcher at the institute. However, transitioning to subtropical fruits is a challenge because their cultivation requires costly greenhouses and a shift from traditional mandarin farming methods. 'Farmers remain hesitant to switch to subtropical crops due to higher initial investments and unfamiliar farming practices,' Han added. Jeju's deep-rooted affection for mandarins reflects their importance to the island's identity and economy. As of 2023, mandarins accounted for 55.8 percent of Jeju's total agricultural revenue, generating 1.32 trillion won that year, with 35.7 percent of Jeju's arable land devoted to citrus farming, according to the Korea Rural Economic Institute. The significance of mandarins is part of the 2024 Jeju Citrus Expo, which celebrates its 12th year. Held from Wednesday to Tuesday in Seogwipo, the event features exhibitions, business consultations, and forums addressing climate resilience and varietal development. 'Mandarins are more than just a crop -- they're a symbol of Jeju's heritage and resilience,' said Ko Byung-gi, chairman of the organizing committee, highlighting the event's dual role in advancing the mandarin industry and fostering global collaboration.
