South Korea braces for 'very strong' typhoon, businesses curb operations

South Korea raised its typhoon-alert to its highest level on Monday as approaching Typhoon Hinnamnor forced flight cancellations, the suspension of some business operations and the closure of schools. Heavy rain and strong wind pounded the south of the country as the typhoon approached from the south at a speed of 33 km per hour. Hinnamnor is expected to make landfall southwest of the port city of Busan early on Tuesday, after reaching the holiday island of Jeju on Monday. President Yoon Suk-yeol said he would be on emergency standby, a day after ordering authorities to do their best to minimise damage from the typhoon. "Very strong winds and heavy rains are expected across the country through to Tuesday due to the typhoon, with very high waves expected in the coastal region along with storm and tsunami," the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said. Hinnamnor is on a course that will take it northeast toward Sapporo, Japan, it said. As Typhoon Hinnamnor neared South Korea on Monday, the country raised its typhoon-alert level to its highest South Korea classifies typhoons in four categories – normal, strong, very strong, super strong. "Very strong" typhoons like Hinnamnor have wind speeds of up to 53 metres per second. Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines have cancelled most of their Monday flights to Jeju Island, according to their websites, while budget airlines such as Air Seoul and Jin Air have cancelled some of their flights.<br/>