Latest News
| Scorching days and 'tropical nights' continue, Back-to-back days of record power demand, 1.45m tourists expected this summer | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writer : | G. Nikitas Brountas | Date : | 2012-07-26 | Hit : | 490 |
|
Scorching days and 'tropical nights' continue The heat wave continued Thursday, with Gapa Island getting as high as 33.6 degrees Celsius. Elsewhere on the island, high temperatures hit 31.3 degrees in Seogwipo and 30.3 degrees in Seongsan. A North Pacific high pressure system is keeping clouds at bay and leaving the island exposed to ultraviolet rays. Local weather authorities say there's no end in sight for the sizzling days and tropical nights, which are defined as those in which the temperature does not drop below 25 degrees. Afternoon highs on Friday are again expected to surpass 30 degrees.
Back-to-back days of record power demand In related news, with daytime temperatures hovering above 30 degrees, electrical demand has surged to its highest point on two consecutive days. The Jeju office of the Korea Power Exchange reports that the daily total for Tuesday was 621,000 kilowatts, and that that had been the most since the summer began. But by 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, already 620,000 kilowatts had been used on the island. The agency says it has a 29.1 percent reserve margin, meaning there will be no trouble in supplying power. Officials did, however, urge the public to refrain from using electricity for unnecessary purposes as they expect demand to rise sharply with the scorching temperatures.
1.45m tourists expected this summer Officials expect the island to host one-point-four-five million vacationers this summer. The provincial government and the Jeju Tourism Information Center made the projection based on a review of flight and ship reservations between July 20th and the end of August. That would be 14 percent more than last summer, when roughly 1,247,000 people came to the island during the same period. Officials say many of the arrivals will be either people traveling on their own, not in a group, who tend to spend a lot while here, or Chinese tourists on cruise ships. Ninety-five percent of rooms at hotels, private lodges, and other accommodations are booked for the rest of the season, while an average of 90 percent of flight tickets are reserved on each of the 13 domestic routes that service Jeju.
These little customers are visiting this milk processing plant in Hallim-eup. They are making cheese with fresh milk. Pour some hot water onto a chunk of cheese, stretch the cheese with your hands, and then you have string cheese! [EFFECT] They have seen melted cheese before when eating pizza, but this is their first time stretching cheese they made themselves. It has no preservatives or additives, making for a pure Jeju cheese. < Interview : Lee Eun-hee > Now, it's time to make ice-cream. Put all these ingredients into a bowl, and then go play with your friends. A few minutes later, as if by magic, we have ice-cream. By listening to the explanations, looking at fresh produce, and touching and eating the food themselves, children can immerse themselves in rural life, and become aware of the importance of domestic agricultural products. < Interview : Kang Min-a > It has been a month since this hands-on program using Jeju dairy products began. < Interview : Kim Young-hwan > This hands-on program offers a great opportunity to learn about the importance of agriculture. A visit here is certainly a positive choice to make this summer. Dean Brown, KCTV.
Turning to Arirang now, all eyes will be on the athletes during the two weeks of events at venues around London, but for those wondering how to occupy themselves when not taking in the Olympic Games, there are plenty of art galleries open to the public. Here's Arirang's Yoo Ji-hae with an introduction to a unique exhibition there.
(Stand-up) Yoo Ji-hae Titled the "Korean Eye 2012"... the exhibition will showcase the largest collection of new Korean art to date... featuring 100 art works by 33 artists. Oraganizers say,... the exhibition will provide art enthusiasts a chance to experience the strong visceral and visionary art of Korea. [Interview] David Ciclitira / Founder & chairman, 'Korean Eye' Kim Dong-yoon,... is one of the carefully chosen artists from over 2-thousand applicants... who is well-known for his way of stacking and integrating images. The award-winning 33-year-old says... the "Korean Eye" will serve as a great opportunity to promote the lesser-known Korean arts in London's contemporary art scene. [Interview] Kim Dong-yoon / Contemporary artist [ Camera ] Lee Soo-bok [Interview] Eleanor Macfarlane / Moving image artist ... the 10-week exhibition is expected to be a hit. [Interview] Lee Charm / CEO, Korea Tourism Organization ['Korean Eye 2012' at Saatchi Gallery On the sidelines of the Korean Eye 2012,... visitors will be able to appreciate Korea's contemporary fashion, films, music and food. Yoo Ji-hae, Arirang News, London.
Staying with Arirang for one more story and a look at how the heat wave is affecting the rest of the country. The sizzling temperatures prompted Seoul to issue its first heat wave advisory of the summer. Forecasters expect the sultry weather to stick around for at least the next few weeks. Arirang's (허승하) Heo Seung-ha has more. (Stand-up) At the peak of the day, the temperature was 32 degrees Celsius. [Heat wave advisory issued in Seoul ] Heat wave warnings have also been issued in other parts of the nation, with the southeastern city of Daegu hitting 35 degrees this afternoon. [Interview] Lee Kwan / Visitor from Gwangju ['Tropical night' phenomenon continues ] [Interview] Hur Jin-ho / Forecaster, Korea Meteorological Administration With the mercury rising steadily across the nation, energy consumption surged as people turned their air conditioners on to keep cool. Meanwhile, the sweltering heat has had serious consequences for people's health. [Camera] Kim Jin-hyub Heo Seung-ha, Arirang News.
Orchids being moved higher to avoid heat One hundred thousand orchids being grown locally for export are being transported to higher ground up on Halla Mountain to help them avoid the heat. Jeju Agricultural Research and Extension Services is moving them to a high elevation cold treatment facility at (거린사슴) Geolin Saeseum over concerns that the heat could degrade the quality of the flowers. They are Cymbidium orchids, and their weakness is heat - if they are exposed to too much, in addition to deteriorating quality, they will also bloom later than normal. If, however, they are grown at moderate temperatures from July, for instance at an elevation of 600 meters on Halla Mountain, the plants' stalks grow faster. Among the benefits of that are vivid flower colors and the ability of the agency to ship the plants relatively early.
Fewer rainy days and less precipitation This year's rainy season was up to two days shorter than average, and it brought with it nearly 120 millimeters less rain than it usually does. The Jeju Regional Meteorological Administration says it began a day or so earlier than normal on June 18th but then finished July 17th, a full two days before it usually does. During that time, there were 18 days of rain, which is about normal, but only 282.8 millimeters fell. The average is 398.6 millimeters. The weather agency blamed the shorter and drier rainy season on tropical storm (카눈) Khanun, which ushered in the end of it when it passed the island on its northward track.
Kim Sun-woo confirmed at council The nominee to be Jeju's vice-governor of the environment and economy has passed a confirmation hearing at the provincial council. At the third meeting of a special nomination screening committee Wednesday, attendees concluded that any issues pertaining to (김선우) Kim Sun-woo's appointment were not significant enough to keep him from serving as vice governor. Committee members found him to be a qualified candidate who is devoted to the development of the island and local affairs as it develops into an international province. The committee, however, is concerned by Kim's legal background and lack of experience in administrative work. Councilors worry both issues could affect his flexibility as vice governor.
▶ The Pyoseon Beach White Sand Festival begins Saturday and will include fun activities for the whole family. Title - Pyoseon Beach White Sand Festival Details - Soccer, treasure hunt, etc. Date - July 28 - 29 Location - Pyoseon Beach in Seogwipo
▶ Jeju National Museum is sponsoring a jazz concert Saturday.
Details - Jazz musicians Date- July 28 Location - Jeju National Museum
Details - Modern Rock Date - July 28 at 6 PM Location - Seolmundae Women's Cultural Center
▶ The Jeju Korean Art Association is celebrating its 21st anniversary with a display of members' works through the end of the month. Title - 21st Anniversary Display Details - Jeju Korean Art Association Date - Through July 31 Location - Yeon Gallery
[MOVIE] ▶ Manny, Diego, and Sid embark upon another adventure after their continent is set adrift in the fourth installment of the "Ice Age" series. Title - Ice Age 4: Continental Drift Genre - Animation, Adventure, Comedy Age - All Theater - CGV |
|||||
| Links | http://www.kctvjeju.com/a/201207/120726n5.asx | ||||
|
|||||
