Typhoon Khanun could hit Korea after trajectory shift

Typhoon Khanun, after a shift in its projected trajectory, could make landfall on Korea's southeastern coast later this week, according to the national weather agency Sunday.

Fishing boats are anchored in a port in Pohang Sunday afternoon, amid news that Typhoon Khanun shifted its projected trajectory and is forecast to hit Korea's southeastern coast over Wednesday and Thursday. [NEWS1]

Typhoon Khanun, after a shift in its projected trajectory, could make landfall on Korea's southeastern coast later this week, according to the national weather agency Sunday.

The typhoon, currently passing Japan, is projected to reach the southeastern coast of the Korean Peninsula as early as Wednesday, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said, warning of possible heavy rainfall and strong winds. It could make landfall around Thursday in Korea's east coast area, putting many coastal cities and provinces on high alert.

Earlier Sunday, Khanun, the sixth typhoon of the year, passed northeast of Japan's Okinawa at around 9 a.m. The typhoon killed at least two people in Japan last week.

Khanun had a central atmospheric pressure of 970 hectopascals and a wind speed of up to 126 kilometers per hour (78 miles per hour), according to the KMA as of Sunday afternoon.

The typhoon is expected to slowly head northeast towards waters west of Japan's Kyushu in the next few days.

After passing through Japan, Khanun is forecast to move toward the East Sea and is projected to approach southeast of Ulleung Island and Dokdo islets around Wednesday morning, affecting Korea's eastern coastal area.

The typhoon is projected to pass some 60 kilometers southeast of Busan at around 9 a.m. Thursday, according to the KMA. If it stays on course, it could make landfall on Korea's southeastern coast around Thursday afternoon.

The typhoon is expected to have a central pressure of 975 hectopascals and a medium wind speed of 115 kilometers per hour.

The typhoon is expected to move along the east coast and exit off the east coast of northern Gangwon on Friday morning and head northward in the vicinity of Wonsan in North Korea.

The KMA initially forecasted that Khanun would pass through Kyushu, Japan, and pass north of Ulleung Island. However, the newly revised trajectory of the typhoon brings it closer to the Korean Peninsula than initially expected.

KMA officials said Sunday that the typhoon's projected trajectory is very volatile and can shift due to various factors.

The new course could bring heavy rain and strong winds to areas including Busan, Ulsan and South Gyeongsang on Wednesday evening, and Daegu, North Gyeongsang and North Chungcheong on Thursday morning. Gyeonggi and Gangwon area could also be affected later Thursday.

This comes amid a prolonged heat wave on the Korean Peninsula, which is expected to last through Friday.

BY SARAH KIM [kim.sarah@joongang.co.kr]