Seoul, Sep 6 (TIWN) A powerful typhoon is quickly moving northward to South Korea, with the country's southernmost island of Jeju bracing for the storm to make landfall on Friday.

Typhoon Lingling, this year's 13th typhoon, passed over seas southwest of Jeju at a speed of 19 kph at noon, according to the Korea Meteorological Association.

Its central pressure was 945 hectopascals, and the maximum wind speed near its center was 45 meters per second, or 162 kph. Strong gusts like this can topple cars and ships, and uproot trees.

The weather agency warned that the wind speed may peak at 55 meters per second, or 200 kph, in some island areas.