South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has warned extreme weather should be expected as the norm because of climate change, but extensive damage to property and farmland and human casualties for a second year, has cast doubt on the country's readiness.
Kwon, who has been farming for 25 years, said it was the first time extreme weather conditions had caused such severe damage since she began growing watermelons 10 years ago.
Farmers called for stronger preparations for global warming and asked the government to build more facilities to prevent damage from extreme climate changes.
Neighbouring farmer Lee Gun-ho, 60, who cultivates lettuce and strawberries, says farming is always tricky when it comes to weather but more extreme conditions are occurring more frequently and unexpectedly.
"However, it's getting warmer and sudden heavy rains are pouring a lot more.
Persons:
Kwon Gye, Yoon Suk Yeol, Kwon, ”, Yoon, Lee, Jack Kim, Sharon Singleton
Organizations:
Farmers, Minwoo, Thomson
Locations:
South Korea, South, Nonsan ., Seoul