Guam citizens fear typhoon more than Kim
Haganta (Guam), Aug. 12: Guam residents say that if given the choice they would rather face the wrath of “crazy” Kim Jong-un than the power of a typhoon, as they count down towards a threatened North Korean missile attack.
As Pyongyang’s deadline drew closer, the archbishop of the predominately Catholic US territory urged priests to pray for peace at Sunday mass and prepared for a peace rally in the capital Hagatna.
But on the streets the outward appearance remained calm, with the main concern being the approach of the typhoon season. “To be honest, I’m more worried about the projectiles from the typhoons when we get strong winds than whatever projectiles Kim Jong-un says he will launch on Guam,” Janice Furukawa, a 58-year-old mother, said as she prepared her typhoon emergency kit at her home in the western village of Piti.
North Korea, angered by US President Donald Trump’s threat of “fire and fury”, has promised to have plans ready in a matter of days to launch an “enveloping fire” of missiles at Guam.
Rolando Zepeda, 57, a teacher at Saint Anthony’s School, said he was not making any emergency plans ahead of a North Korean attack.
“But I am always quick to shutter up whenever we get typhoon advisories or tsunami warnings,” he said.
“Kim Jung-un is as crazy as typhoons but I am more scared of typhoons because they are real threats.”
“You know typhoons can strike anytime... so that means, families are making family emergency plans and kits together,” he said.
“With that, everybody should conduct their lives like business as usual. It’s the weekend. Go out, have a good time.”