As the summer heats up, people are already heading to local beaches to cool down. Safety preparations at the beaches aren’t complete yet, though, and that means they aren’t officially opened. Mike Balfour explains in this report.
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Iho Taewu Beach, Jeju City

At (이호 태우) Iho Taewu Beach in Jeju City the early summer heat finds the sands already frequently visited by tourists.

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Summer restaurants open, new sand delivered

Summer restaurants have resumed operation and beach umbrellas are popping up.

New sand has been delivered.

However, the official opening of the beach is being delayed.

INTERVIEW
Kim Yong-cheol / Iho Taewu Beach Steering Committee
Haeundae Beach in Busan officially opened June first, but beaches on Jeju Island remain closed. I don’t understand the delay.
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"해운대나 6월 1일부터 다 개장돼 있는데 왜 우리가 앞서가야 되는데 부산보다 제주도가 늦어야되는지.. 제주도는 관광지이기 때문에 다른 지역보다도 제주도가 먼저 개장해야 되는데 늦어야할 이유가 하나도 없습니다."

Iho residents have been asking for an official opening on June 17th, but Jeju City has, so far, not responded to the request.

Jeju City at this time has insufficient safety plans for its beaches.

Applications for lifeguard posts are lower than needed.

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Meeting to discuss situation scheduled for June 8

The problem began last year when the national government dismantled the coast guard for an inadequate response to the Sewol ferry disaster. The responsibility for beachgoers safekeeping was transferred to cities.

The province will have a meeting with the Jeju Coast Guard and the Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters on June 8th, the tentative opening of the beach.

Insiders say it is most likely that for lack of lifeguards at present, local beaches will officially open on July 1st.

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Kim Seung-cheol

[REPORTER]
Mike Balfour

An early summer has mainland beaches opening and attracting more tourists, but Jeju Island organizers still have work to do.

Mike Balfour, KCTV