South Korea is grappling with its deadliest wildfires in history, which have claimed at least 18 lives and left 19 others injured, according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The fires, raging across the country’s southeast, have forced over 23,000 people to evacuate and destroyed thousands of hectares of forest, including precious cultural heritage sites.
A firefighting helicopter crashed in the mountains of Uiseong County on Wednesday afternoon as authorities scrambled to contain multiple blazes. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. Thousands of firefighters, along with 5,000 military personnel and helicopters from the US military stationed in Korea, are engaged in a desperate battle against the infernos.
Acting President Han Duck-soo called the wildfires an “unprecedented crisis” and acknowledged their record-breaking devastation. The flames have already consumed more than 17,000 hectares of forest, making this the third-largest wildfire disaster in South Korea’s history in terms of area. The destruction includes the historic Gounsa Temple, a 1,300-year-old Buddhist site, and a national treasure from the Joseon Dynasty.
The National Fire Agency raised the crisis to its highest level on Tuesday, marking the first such alert this year. However, strong winds continue to hinder containment efforts. With little rain in the forecast, authorities fear the fires could spread further.
The government has vowed to strengthen wildfire prevention strategies and crack down on illegal burning, a key cause of such disasters. Han promised a thorough review of emergency response efforts, emphasizing the urgent need for improved fire management in a country experiencing drier-than-usual conditions.
