By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff

THE Korean Association of Saipan wants to install signs in the Korean language at Forbidden Island, the Grotto and other diving sites on Saipan to warn Korean tourists of risks.
Jun Soo Park, president of the Korean association, said they are planning to implement this project as soon as possible to avoid a repeat of the incident on March 23 when four Korean students drowned at Forbidden Island after being swept away by a big wave while hiking.
Park and Jonathan Joo, the secretary-general of the association, said they will discuss this project with the CNMI government and seek its approval.
He said Korean students and tourists should be told that some of the areas on island are not safe for hiking, diving and swimming.
At the Grotto, Park said they want to remind divers to be careful in the area.
The Korean association will also organize a group of certified divers to help the Department of Public Safety and other agencies in conducting search and rescue operations.
Park said they will discuss this proposal with DPS and seek its approval.
“This is a sensitive issue and we don’t want to sound as if we are complaining about the current setup at DPS with respect to conducting rescue operations,” Park said. “We are fully satisfied with the way they did the recent search and rescue operation and that’s why from the bottom of our hearts we and the families of the victims are very thankful for their efforts and support.”
He added, “We just want to help or volunteer in the future. It will make things easier if we can work together, but of course with the approval of the police.”
The Korean association will also start coordinating with Korean tour agents to discuss training and safety measures involving Korean exchange students who are coming to Saipan soon.
“These students — some of them don’t have parents or relatives here so it’s important that we guide them while they are here and remind them about dangerous sites where they should not go. We will make sure that the recent incident will not happen again,” Joo said.
The Korean association, he added, thanks DPS, the CNMI government, the American Red Cross, the Commonwealth Health Center, Mount Carmel, the Emergency Management Office, and other CNMI and federal government agencies for the assistance rendered to the association and to the families of the victims during the funeral and burial services.