Beware summer vacationers!

Theft, jellyfish, rip-off could ruin your holiday

By Lee Hyo-sik

Staff reporter

Vacationers should take extra caution this summer if they do not want to ruin their long-awaited holidays when leaving the house for the beach or the mountains.

People are advised to secure doors and other entry points to the house, as well as implement other security measures in order to prevent their residences from being ransacked by thieves.

They also need to be wary of being overcharged for various services at popular holiday destinations, ranging from parking fees, to lodging and food. In particular, beach goers should be extra cautious about poisonous jellyfish, which are moving fast toward the nation’s coasts from the East China Sea.

Burglars become most active in the months of July and August when many families take a summer vacation and leave their houses vulnerable to intruders.

Earlier this month, a 19-year old man was arrested for stealing cash and other valuables, worth 6.4 million won, from more than 10 empty houses in Goesan county, North Chungcheong Province.

The police advise holidaymakers to properly secure their homes if they do not want to fall prey to robbers, encouraging them to install a burglar alarm on windows, doors and other entry points. Travelers should also be aware of illicit overcharging for various services and commodities at the beach, campsites and other vacation spots.

Some lodging facilities at holiday destinations intentionally do not take reservations in a bid to charge higher prices for rooms.

To stop their dream vacation from turning into a nightmare, holidaymakers are encouraged to thoroughly check prices of accommodation, dining and outdoor activities before hitting the road.

This summer, beachgoers should exercise extreme caution when they jump into the water as a school of poisonous jellyfish is moving toward the country’s southern and western waters.

On July 22, at least 160,000 jellyfish, which can grow up to 180 centimeters, were spotted in the water south of Jeju Island, according to the National Fisheries Research & Development Institute. A total of eight Chinese have died this summer after being stung by jellyfish.

By early next week, they are expected to reach the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula and spread to the West Sea through ocean currents. Those who plan to swim at the beach are advised to take care.

Across the nation, there have been many similar incidents in which thieves have taken money, precious gems and other valuables from unoccupied homes. Throughout August when the majority of households are unattended, more vacationers will likely see their homes ransacked when they return from a trip.

Tens of thousands of people flock to Haeundae Beach in Busan during the summer holiday season. One of many problems facing beach goers is that there is a shortage of parking spots.

Many visitors are forced to park their cars at privately-run parking lots, which charge three or four times more, because of limited public parking spaces. The situation is not much different at other famous beaches across the country.

They also suggest letting neighbors know they are not home, as well as ask them to clear newspapers and other deliveries to make their homes look occupied.

Additionally, those who plan to spend holidays at camping sites may be harassed by men trying to extort money. They are usually either local residents or gangsters. If they experience unfair treatment, they should report it to law enforcement authorities.

여름휴가 도난, 해파리, 바가지 등 주의

올해 여름 휴가를 망치지 않으려면 집 도난, 숙소 바가지 등을 피하기 위해 미리 계획해야 할 것으로 보인다,

특히 7월, 8월 두 달 동안 휴가철을 겨냥해 빈집털이가 흔해 경찰은 문과 창문에 경보기를 설치하고 이웃에게 신문이나 택배 등을 맡기라고 권하고 있다.

관광객이 많이 몰리는 지역에 숙박, 주차장, 음식 등의 가격을 높게 불러 손님에게 바가지를 씌우는 일도 빈번하게 일고 있다.

이를 피하려면 여행객들은 여행 전 각종 물건과 서비스 가격을 미리 체크하고, 바가지를 씌우는 상점은 관계당국에 신고를 해야 한다.

또한 지난 22일 제주도에서 16 여 만 마리의 해파리가 출몰하는 등 남해와 서해에 독성을 가진 해파리들이 늘어나면서 해변에서 피서를 즐길 예정인 사람들은 주의가 필요할 것으로 보인다.