Typhoon Bolaven has struck South Korea, killing at least eight and leaving dozens homeless. The powerful storm severely disrupted communications and caused hundreds of flight cancellations.

The typhoon struck two fishing vessels at sea, killing five crewmembers. Rescue teams managed to save twelve of the crew, and six more fishermen managed to swim to safety. Ten crewmembers remain missing.

At least three others lost their lives in separate incidents across the country.

One man was killed by a container box that hit him on the head, one woman fell to her death from a rooftop, and the third person was hit by a brick, local disaster and fire officials told the Independent

The disaster disrupted power, caused the cancellations of over 200 flights and forced the military to halt joint war games being carried out by US and South Korean troops.

South Korean authorities issued a storm warning for the capital of Seoul, where over 330,000 homes have lost power and 70 were left homeless by the disaster.

Bolaven pounded the southern and western parts of South Korea and is now approaching North Korea, which was recently ravaged by extensive flooding and then a drought. North Korean state media reported that the country is already being buffeted by heavy rains and strong winds.

Dark clouds gather above Shanghai August 27, 2012, as Typhoon Bolaven passes near the Chinese coast (Reuters/Carlos Barria)

A Chinese fisherman is rescued from a Chinese fishing boat in the aftermath of Typhoon Bolavenat at Seogwipo (AFP Photo/Dong-A Ilbo)

In this handout photo released by Seogwipo Coast Guard on August 28, 2012, South Korean coast guards (L) try to rescue crew members of a stranded Chinese fishing boat (AFP Photo/Seogwipo Coast Guard)

AFP Photo/Dong-A Ilbo

AFP Photo/Seogwipo Coast Guard

AFP Photo/Dong-A Ilbo

A damaged traffic light pole is seen on the streets in Seogwipo on Jeju Island, south of Seoul on August 28, 2012 (Reuters/Jeju Police Station/Handout)