All the rain we’ve been having has delayed the mandarin harvest at many groves. This is causing the fruit to go bad and farmers are desperate to finish picking their crop. The Marine Corps heard about the situation and decided to lend a helping hand. Mike Laidman reports.
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Sanghyo-dong, Seogwipo
At this mandarin farm in Seogwipo, a special group of people have arrived to help out. It’s the ROK Marine Corps.
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9th Marine Brigade helps pick fruit
They have come to help pick fruit, something that has been heavily delayed due to frequent rains. If the fruit is left on the trees too long, it rots, leading to more problems.
This is the first time picking mandarins for many of these marines, but they do their best to help the farmers get as much fruit off the trees as they can.
The Marine Corps is a part of every step along the way in harvesting the oranges. They pick the fruit, fill baskets, and then load them onto vehicles.
INTERVIEW
Lee Sang-min / PFC, 9th Marine Brigade
Jeju is like a second home for the Marine Corps. It’s great that we’re getting to help out. We hope to continue to work like family here.
<인터뷰 : 이상민 / 해병대 제9여단 일병>
"제주도는 해병대의 제2의 고향입니다. 고향에 있는 가족들을 도울 수 있어 기쁘고 뿌듯합니다. 제주도민과 함께하는 든든한 가족이 되겠습니다."
[camera]
Hyeon Gwang-hoon
But it is not only the harvest with which they are helping. They add life to a farm that had been quiet before their arrival. The farmers are happy to have people with whom to talk - it’s as if they are working alongside their own children.
INTERVIEW
Go Jeong-ja / Mandarin grower
We would normally have to spend a lot of money to get people to help. But even that wasn’t easy this time. We had almost given up, but then five marines came to our farm and they’ve been so much help.
<인터뷰 : 고정자 / 감귤재배 농민>
"울며 불며 농사해봐야 인부 값만 들어가고. 그렇다고 인부를 고용하면 좋지만 그 것도 안되고. 그래서 너무너무 힘든데 그래도 오늘 군인아저씨들
-----수퍼체인지-----
5명 보내주니까 많이 협조가 되는 것 같습니다."
[REPORTER]
Mike Laidman
About 150 Marines are currently helping mandarin farmers in Seogwipo and will continue until the 24th of this month.
Mike Laidman, KCTV
