South Korea: At least 18 people have died and others have been injured as devastating wildfires continue to sweep through South Korea’s southeast region, authorities confirmed. More than 23,000 residents have been forced to evacuate as the blazes spread rapidly, fueled by strong, dry winds.
Acting President Han Duck-soo described the crisis as “rewriting the record books for the worst wildfires in our nation’s history.” Officials say the majority of those who perished were in their 60s and 70s.
Among the destruction is the 1,300-year-old Gounsa Temple in Uiseong city, which was reduced to ashes despite efforts to rescue cultural relics. A national treasure from the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) was also confirmed lost.
The fires, which began in Sancheong county, have since spread to Uiseong and are advancing toward Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok.
Lee Byung-doo, a forest disaster expert, warned that the Uiseong blaze is expanding at an “unimaginable” speed. A firefighting helicopter crashed in the mountains of Uiseong county, prompting an investigation into the cause.
More than 5,000 military personnel and thousands of firefighters, aided by helicopters from the US military, have been deployed to combat the fires. The national fire agency raised the crisis level to its highest tier, the first time such an alert has been issued this year.
With 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of forest already destroyed, the fires are now the deadliest in the country’s history. Wildfires remain rare in South Korea, but drier-than-normal conditions have contributed to the surge in blazes, with 244 reported this year—2.4 times more than in the same period last year.
Acting President Han said the government will conduct a thorough review of its wildfire response once the crisis is under control and work on improving prevention strategies. Authorities have also pledged stricter enforcement against illegal burning, a major cause of wildfires.
Despite desperate hopes for rain, the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts only a minimal amount, leaving firefighters facing an ongoing battle to contain the flames.
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