Rep. of Korea: Gov't battles to contain southward spread of oil

With Korea's largest oil spill spreading in waves to the south of the already affected areas on the west coast, the government was on alert Thursday (Dec. 13) to contain the spread, officials said.

The weather authorities are set to issue a warning against strong winds and high waves for the entire western waters in the afternoon.

Officials see Thursday as a critical day in the nation's efforts to stop the spread and clean-up leaked oil because waves of crude oil are likely to wash ashore on the scenic coast of Anmyeon Island located to the south of the Taean area if a strong northwestern wind blows.

About 10,500 tons of oil spilled into the Yellow Sea off Taean in central Korea in the country's largest oil spill after a barge carrying a crane rammed into a 146,000-ton Hong Kong tanker last Friday (Dec. 7). Foul oil damaged fisheries, beaches and aquatic farms producing oysters, clams and abalones.

Thousands of volunteers, local residents, police and military officials were battling for the seventh day to scoop up oil.

Helped by some 220 ships and five airplanes, they have collected 1,040 tons of crude oil, about 10 percent of the amount spilled, so far.

Weather helped to temporarily halt the oil's spread, but it resumed Wednesday morning to waters 37 kilometers northwest of Anmyeon Island.

Cheonsu Bay in the east of the island is home to some 4 million migrant birds of 300 different species and a pristine natural environment.

The government on Wednesday vowed to focus its efforts on preventing the crude oil from spreading further south.

During a meeting of related ministers chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, the government also decided to additionally send five helicopters and three light airplanes to help the clean up efforts.

The government will spend 7.5 billion won ($8.1 million) from its reserve account to purchase the equipment and materials needed to clean up the polluted area, which includes 3,740 hectares of fishing grounds and 17 kilometers of beaches.

At least 25 tons of absorbents are needed per day, but there are only 5 tons left, according to government officials.

The government plans to use 1.5 billion won of the allocated fund to produce more absorbents and purchase 40 tons and 67 tons of absorbents from Japan and China, respectively, they said.

Four environmental experts will fly into the country soon from the United States to help with the recovery efforts, according to anti-disaster officials at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.