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The Marine Corps mobilized KAAVs to assist firefighters in Pohang reach the source of a blaze at the POSCO steel plant in the city on Sept. 6. (courtesy ROK Marine Corps Headquarters)

Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicles (KAAV) with the 1st Marine Division in Pohang were among the equipment deployed Tuesday to rescue victims of typhoon damage and put out a fire at the city’s POSCO steel plant.

In response to flooding at different locations in Pohang due to the effects of Typhoon Hinnamnor, the Marines launched victim rescue and damage recovery operations at 6 am that day.

The Marines sent in operational troops and rescue workers on two KAAVs and three small inflatable boats to rescue victims in the area around Pohang’s Cheongnim Elementary School.

After flooded roads made it difficult for firefighters to reach the origin of the fire at the Pohang steel plant, the Marines carried them on the KAAVs to the location of the blaze. Used in landing operations, the KAAVs can operate both on land and in water.

As of noon on Tuesday, the 1st Marine Division had sent in around 1,300 troops, 59 vehicles, 11 inflatable boats, and six water pumps to carry out soil removal and draining efforts in the Pohang townships and neighborhoods of Donghae, Daesong, Ocheon and Cheongnim.

The Marine Corps mobilized KAAVs to assist firefighters in Pohang reach the source of a blaze at the POSCO steel plant in the city on Sept. 6. (courtesy ROK Marine Corps Headquarters)

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) said it would be suspending exercises for reservists in the Chungcheong, Honam (Jeolla provinces and metro areas), Yeongnam (Gyeongsang provinces), and Jeju regions on Wednesday and Thursday to provide speedy rescue and recovery assistance for the regions affected by Typhoon Hinnamnor. Exercises are also being postponed for reservists in some parts of Gyeonggi Province, including the cities of Yongin, Yangju, Gimpo and Pyeongtaek.

The MND further plans to designate 15 search and rescue units with Army, Navy, and Air Force helicopters and transport aircraft to assist with search and rescue activities on land and at sea. The ministry has also designated a disaster rapid response unit to assist with rescuing stranded residents and transporting patients requiring emergency care.

By Kwon Hyuk-chul, staff reporter

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