Wind-driven wildfires ravaged South Korea’s southern regions
destroying more than 200 structures and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate
A road is closed as a wildfire fueled by strong winds spreads in Uiseong
Houses burn in a village after being engulfed by a wildfire fueled by strong winds in Uiseong
A firefighter works to extinguish a fire at a house that has been engulfed in a wildfire in Uiseong
A Korea Forest Service helicopter dumps fire retardant on a wildfire in Sancheong
A Korea Forest Service helicopter dumps fire retardant on a wildfire in Uiseong
South Korea (AP) — Officials in the South Korean city of Andong on Tuesday alerted residents to evacuate to safe areas as firefighters struggled to contain wildfires that have ravaged southern regions since last week
forcing thousands to flee and destroying likely hundreds of structures
including a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple
and the nearby town of Uiseong ordered residents in several villages and those near Andong University to evacuate to safe locations or temporary shelters — including schools and indoor gyms — as a fire that started in Uiseong continued to spread due to strong winds
The fire in Andong was also reaching the village of Pungcheon
a UNESCO World Heritage site founded around the 14-15th centuries
a Buddhist temple built in the 7th century
according to officials from the Korea Heritage Service
There were no immediate reports of injuries
and some of the temple’s national treasures
were evacuated before the fire reached the wooden buildings
The fire was also spreading to the nearby coastal town of Yeongdeok
where officials shut down roads and ordered residents of at least four villages to evacuate
The Justice Ministry did not immediately confirm local reports that it had begun relocating some 2,600 inmates from a prison in Cheongsong county
along with 76 helicopters and 530 vehicles
were deployed to battle the fires in the Uiseong and Andong areas
which were nearly 70% contained as of Tuesday evening
The service raised its wildfire warning to the highest “serious” level nationwide
requiring local governments to allocate a larger work force for emergency response
tighten entry restrictions for forests and parks
and recommend that military units withhold live-fire exercises
South Korean officials said earlier on Tuesday that firefighters had extinguished most of the flames from the largest wildfires in the country’s southern regions
the ongoing dry and windy weather now appears to be causing setbacks
Four firefighters and government workers were killed in Sancheong on Saturday after being trapped by fast-moving flames driven by strong winds
At least 11 other people have been injured by wildfires around the country since last Friday
according to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety
The national government designated the hardest-hit southeastern regions as disaster zones to focus resources and accelerate recovery efforts
Government officials suspect that several of the recent wildfires
possibly due to the use of fire while clearing overgrown grass in family tombs or sparks from welding work
Andong Market's jjimdak (braised chicken) alley is empty of visitors in this photo taken on April 1
A firefighter sprays water on a traditional Hanok house in Hahoe Village in Andong on March 26
Andong launched a "goodwill tourism" campaign to draw in visitors
the tree is not the romantic subject we’re used to seeing it presented as
there is something almost ominous about these beings
Trees have a very different understanding of history and movement; though we see them as stationary things
Andong’s work highlights how the migration histories of the native trees of East Asia might reflect human identities in ways we cannot see at first glance
I meet Andong over breakfast outside our hotel in Xiamen, China. He’s exhibiting How to Unname a Tree at this year’s Jimei x Arles festival
He tells me that it’s exciting to be presenting at the festival this year; in its 10th edition
He’s in good company with peers he admires and feels inspired by
There is a recurring diasporic intervention in this year’s edition
Born in a mountainous province of Eastern China
Andong moved to the US a few years ago to study
he encountered a pine tree with conflicting names in different languages – the Huangshan pine
a famous landmark on Huangshan Mountain – sparking an inquiry into the colonial and geopolitical implications of botanical nomenclature
I was lucky enough to be toured through the show by Andong
where he showed me the ways in which he applies innovative printing techniques with traditional Japanese paper which is so thin and fibrous it resembles an opaque fabric
Andong prints his images onto the paper-fabric
giving it an organic and ethereal feel which directly echoes the nature of his black and white images
Zheng’s photographs of pine trees from different regions – Huangshan in China
and Japan – are printed on East Asian paper sourced from Taiwan
historically linked to Japanese colonial paper mills
introducing a natural and historical element to the prints
The salt in the water interacts with silver nitrate to create light-sensitive surfaces
embedding the images with both a physical and metaphorical connection to natural history
This process symbolises how natural history predates colonial divisions
challenging fixed notions of borders and territories
If we consider colonial history on one time scale and natural history on a much broader one
we can see how dramatically the world has changed over thousands of years
sea levels were roughly 100 metres lower than today
What is now the East China Sea was not a body of water but a vast landmass
with no strait separating Taiwan from China or Okinawa
sometimes driven by random events like powerful Pacific storms carrying species across great distances.”
I can’t really solve this.’ That’s what I want
Does that bring you more knowledge or bring you more stereotypes?”
In order to obscure the geographical location of the tree
the exhibition is deliberately designed to resist categorisation
preventing viewers from easily identifying which tree belongs to which region
Large prints on delicate Kozo paper (Japanese paper) create a ghostly
reinforcing themes of ambiguity and interconnectedness
Viewers are encouraged to physically interact with the work
mirroring the act of unlearning rigid taxonomies
Zheng wants the audience to question their impulse to categorise
Andong is also interested in the intersection of photography and botanical classification
highlighting how both mediums rely on systems of naming and categorisation
His work attempts to sever these rigid connections
creating an open space for reinterpretation
describing the naming of trees as part of a broader colonial legacy that continues to shape geopolitical conflicts and national identities in East Asia
“There is a myth about photographic truth,” claims Andong
while a camera lens directly records what is in front of it
the process of capturing an image is not purely objective
“A photograph is an index of a moment in time and space
connecting the physical world to a film plane or digital sensor,” the photographer expands
This creates an enduring link between the past and the present
but it does not guarantee an unfiltered or unbiased representation of reality
Andong critiques the dematerialisation of photography in the digital age
advocating for the physicality of images as meaningful objects
whilst teasing out the experience of diaspora and the challenges of navigating identity across different cultural and historical contexts
we might go some way to reimagining our relationship with identity and labels
The project reflects on the tense political climate in East Asia
particularly the strained relations between China
Andong aims to provide an alternative discourse
using trees as a neutral subject to discuss broader issues of identity
By drawing parallels between natural and human migration
How to Unname a Tree illustrates how plants have long moved freely before modern borders disrupted these patterns
“It’s really asking this very core question,” he continues
“How do visual similarities conceal and reveal differences at the same time?”
@andongzheng
Dalia Al-Dujaili is the online editor of BJP and an Iraqi-British arts writer and producer based in London
She's the founder of The Road to Nowhere magazine and the author of Babylon
Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker
National Wildfires burn down 7th-century temple
under high threat of wildfire spreading fast on strong winds with embers
Wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province razed an ancient temple and triggered an evacuation alert in parts of neighboring Andong and a historic village designated as a World Heritage site
toward Oksan-myeon and Jeonggok-myeon in Uiseong County
and also were moving north to areas of Pungcheon-myeon in Andong
Two UNESCO World Heritage sites — Andong Hahoe Folk Village and Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy — are located in Pungcheon-myeon
a historic site over 1,000 years old from the Silla Dynasty
was completely destroyed by fire around 4:50 p.m.
national treasures housed at the temple had been relocated to other locations in North Gyeongsang Province before the wildfires spread to the area
authorities have deployed 77 helicopters and more than 3,000 personnel
train services and highway traffic in the southeastern region were suspended
according to state railway and highway operators
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety previously announced that the strong winds and dry conditions had complicated wildfire containment efforts for the fourth consecutive day Tuesday
Though 65 percent of the wildfires that broke out over the weekend in Uiseong-gun had been put out Monday
the containment rate dropped to 60 percent with the fire line increasing from 164 kilometers to 214.5 kilometers on Tuesday
More than 12,500 hectares are affected by Uiseong wildfire as of Tuesday
making it to become the third biggest forest fire in the country’s history
It followed the 2000 East Coast wildfires and 2022 Uljin-Samcheok wildfires
which destroyed 23,794 hectares and 16,302 hectares
The wildfires in Uiseong-gun have forced almost 4,000 people to evacuate and damaged 92 private and public facilities
where police found a woman in her 60s who had burned to death
Police assume her death was due to the wildfire
While blazes in Uiseong-gun are not yet fully contained
the other major wildfires that simultaneously broke out over the weekend — in Sancheong-gun and the city of Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province
Okcheon-gun in North Chuncheong Province and Ulju-gun
a western district in Ulsan — came under greater control
The wildfire that scorched 1,557 hectares south of Sancheong-gun was 88 percent contained
Three other fires are expected to be put out as the spread has been effectively stopped as of Tuesday morning
With the government announcement on Monday
South Gyeongsang Province were listed as special disaster zones
The designation of a special disaster zone allows the government to provide partial financial aid for the restoration of both private and public facilities damaged by wildfires
The affected residents will also receive a range of financial support
including a reduction in public utility fees
Wildfires in southeastern South Korea claimed the lives of five people
including wildfire responders and civil servants
The plan to unify the candidacies of conservative People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo and former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo faces a rocky road
What’s next after deadline: Mass medical student retentions to come
Korea mark 60 years of ties with sculpture
Europe highlights plastic pollution at OOC Korea
Respect wanes: Teaching no longer highly coveted job in S
As unused homes increase in rural South Korea
Supreme Court’s verdict sours Lee Jae-myung’s presidential bid
Korean mothers are opting for C-sections at record rates
South Koreans get creative with Parents’ Day gifts
Lee Jae-myung leads in hypothetical three-way race with Han Duck-soo
Costco’s steep membership hike tests loyalty of Korean shoppers
You don't have permission to access the page you requested
What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed
South Korea (AP) — Wind-driven wildfires that were among South Korea’s worst ever have ravaged the country’s southern regions
destroying more than 300 structures and forcing 28,800 residents to evacuate
The death toll included a pilot who died after a helicopter crashed during efforts to contain a blaze in the southeastern town of Uiseong
Police said that most of the dead are those in their 60s and 70s
READ MORE: Wildfires in Japan force residents to evacuate homes in mountains
The National Fire Agency said at least 26 people sustained varying degrees of injuries
factories and vehicles were destroyed in the wildfires that have burned 17,752 hectares (43,866 acres)
the government’s emergency response center said
South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo said the wildfires that began last Friday were worse than many previous ones
“There are concerns that we’ll have wildfire damages that we’ve never experienced
so we have to concentrate all our capabilities to put out the wildfires in the rest of this week.”
Han said crews struggled to extinguish the wildfires because strong winds swept the areas overnight
soldiers and other personnel were working Wednesday with the help of about 130 helicopters
adding that “a small amount” of 5-10 millimeters (0.1-0.3 inches) of rain was expected Thursday
firefighters were tackling at least six active wildfires
including in the southeastern coastal town of Yeongdeok
which alerted residents of the nearest village to evacuate to an indoor gymnasium
Strong winds and smoke-filled skies forced authorities in the southeastern city of Andong to order evacuations in two villages
home to the Hahoe folk village — a UNESCO World Heritage Site founded around the 14th-15th century
Hikers were advised to leave the scenic Jiri Mountain
one of the country’s largest national parks
Observers say the ongoing wildfires are the third biggest in South Korea’s history in terms of land burned
the neighboring counties of Uiseong and Sancheong
officials said firefighters had extinguished most of the flames from the largest wildfires in those areas
but wind and dry conditions allowed them to spread again
The blaze in Uiseong destroyed about 20 of the 30 buildings and structures at Gounsa
a temple said to be originally built in the 7th century
Among the burned structures were two state-designated “treasures” — a pavilion-shaped building erected overlooking a stream in 1668
and a Joseon dynasty structure built in 1904 to mark the longevity of a king
the Justice Ministry said it protectively removed 500 inmates from a detention center in Cheongsong
but no damages were reported to the facility
The Korea Forest Service said it had raised its wildfire warning to the highest level nationwide
requiring local governments to assign more workers to emergency response
Among the dead were four firefighters and government workers who died in Sancheong on Saturday after being trapped by fast-moving flames driven by strong winds
Government officials suspect human error caused several of the fires
© 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC
PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization
Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins
A 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple is among buildings destroyed after dry and windy weather saw mostly contained blazes spread again
Wind-driven wildfires that were among South Korea’s worst ever are ravaging southern regions, killing 18 people, destroying more than 200 structures and forcing 27,000 people to evacuate, officials said on Wednesday.
Han Duck-soo, South Korea’s prime minister and acting president, said five days of fires had caused “unprecedented damage” and asked agencies tackling the disaster to “assume the worst-case scenario and respond accordingly”, according to Yonhap news agency.
A helicopter crashed during efforts to contain wildfires in the south-eastern town of Uiseong, killing the pilot and forcing the Korea Forest Service to suspend helicopter operations across the country.
Officials in Andong city and other south-eastern cities and towns ordered residents to evacuate on Tuesday as firefighters struggled to contain multiple blazes fuelled by dry winds, which burned more than 17,400 hectares (43,000 acres) of land and destroyed hundreds of structures, including a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple.
Read moreMore than 5,500 people were forced to evacuate from their homes in Andong
the neighbouring counties of Uiseong and Sancheong
according to South Korea’s ministry of the interior and safety
South Korean officials earlier on Tuesday had said firefighters had extinguished most of the flames from the largest wildfires in those areas
but the ongoing dry and windy weather caused setbacks and allowed the blazes to spread again
View image in fullscreenThe ruins of the Unramsa temple are pictured after a wildfire devastated the area in Uiseong Photograph: Minwoo Park/ReutersThe Uiseong fire
only 68% contained and exacerbated by strong winds
a forest disaster expert at the National Institute of Forest Science
Climate change is projected to make wildfires more frequent
“We have to admit large-scale wildfires are going to increase and prepare more resources and manpower,” he told a local television station
along with more than 130 helicopters and hundreds of vehicles
but efforts were partially suspended overnight as the winds strengthened
Officials in Andong and Uiseong county ordered residents in several villages and those near Andong University to evacuate to safe locations or temporary shelters – including schools and indoor gyms – as a fire that started in Uiseong continued to spread
a Buddhist temple built in the seventh century
View image in fullscreenFire destroys buildings in Uiseong
Photograph: Yoon Gwan-shick/APThe fire also spread to the nearby coastal town of Yeongdeok
The justice ministry did not immediately confirm local reports that it had begun relocating 2,600 inmates from a prison in Cheongsong county
Human-caused climate breakdown is responsible for a higher likelihood of fire and bigger burned areas in southern Europe, northern Eurasia, the US and Australia
with some scientific evidence of increases in southern China
Climate breakdown has increased the wildfire season by about two weeks on average across the globe
Massive wildfires tore through southeastern South Korean for 10 days at the end of March and were finally extinguished on Sunday
The fires have been described as the worst in the country’s history
killing 30 people and destroying upwards of 48,000 hectares of land
there were 30 individual wildfires around the country
Separate fires broke out in Uiseong County
It was this fire that quickly spread east across the region to other nearby cities and counties
the largest of the blazes burning some 45,157 hectares
had supposedly been extinguished on Friday but reignited Saturday evening and was brought under control again on Sunday
The Sancheong fire was also contained on Sunday
26 died in the Uiseong fires while four were killed in the Sancheong fire
Around 37,000 people were forced to evacuate
but received little or no help from local governments
Several people died after being caught in their cars while attempting to flee
A resident of Cheongsong in his 60s with the family name Kim stated that there was “no guidance (by the authorities) as to which direction was safe or dangerous” while evacuating
so I just ran outside—but it was frustrating that there were no clear or proactive instructions.”
Evacuees also reported receiving conflicting information as they attempted to reach safety
Messages alerting people to evacuate were sent too late or did not inform people of the location of evacuation centers
the Yeongdeok County government called for people to evacuate to the nearby towns of Ganggu or Namjeong
only to have the wildfires reach both within 30 minutes
Similar examples of confusion and conflicting information have been reported in other counties and towns
dry conditions and rough terrain helped to spread the fires and made them more difficult to extinguish
An estimated 5,000 buildings including homes
factories and agricultural facilities were destroyed in the fires
which had been built in 681 during the Unified Silla Period (668-935)
Houses and structures preserved from the Joseon Period (1392-1910) were also destroyed in the fires
firefighters and other related authorities began a joint investigation into the causes of the fires on Monday
a 56-year-old has been accused of starting the fire that began at Uiseong as he tended to his grandparents’ graves on a hillside
Media reports suggest that he attempted to clear branches from the graves by burning them
He has been charged without detention and has denied the allegations
Acting President Han Duck-soo on March 26 declared
“The record for worst-ever wildfire is being rewritten.” He continued
“We have been confronting the worst ever wildfires by mobilizing all available personnel and equipment but the situation is out of the ordinary.”
Han recently resumed his role as acting president after the Constitutional Court rejected his impeachment
He serves in this position until the court rules on whether or not to remove President Yoon Suk-yeol from office after he was impeached for his failed attempt to impose martial law in December
Huge wildfires also took place in North Gyeongsang Province as well as Gangwon Province in 2022
it is clear that the government was unprepared to deal with the current disaster
the governors of North and South Gyeongsang Provinces respectively
both stated that firefighters lacked the necessary equipment and support to react quickly to the fires
“We need to completely change the system for responding to wildfires
We need equipment that can put out fires early on with at least tens of thousands of liters of water
such as mobilizing transport aircraft like in other countries
and helicopters or firefighting equipment that can fly at night.”
Money that could be spent on preparing for natural disasters is being spent on preparations for war
Both governors are members of the right-wing People Power Party
has backed the US-led war drive against China
funnelling huge amounts of money into these military preparations
South Korea spent 59.42 trillion won ($US40.37 billion) on its military
This percentage is higher than most countries in the region
Seoul plans to spend 61.59 trillion won ($US41.84 billion) this year
wildfires in South Korea and around the world are not simply the result of mistakes or the lack of equipment
but the criminal failure of capitalist governments to take the necessary steps to halt climate change
Extreme wildfire activity around the globe has more than doubled over the past two decades
with northern and temperate forest regions
The Korea Meteorological Administration reported in January that the yearly average temperature in 2024 was 14.5 degrees Celsius
This was the hottest since recordkeeping began 113 years ago
The previous record high was 13.7 degrees set in 2023
the temperatures in South Korea were 4.5 degrees to 10 degrees higher than the 1990-2020 average
according to Climate Central which conducts research on climate change
Dry conditions and higher temperatures mean wildfire seasons are also lasting longer
exacerbating the conditions that worsen wildfires in countries like South Korea and Japan
which recently experienced its own worst wildfire in 50 years
Last year was also the hottest year on record globally
with the UN World Meteorological Organization stating in January that temperatures had risen 1.55 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels
This surpassed the 1.5-degree level that governments had agreed to keep temperatures below in the 2015 Paris Agreement
itself inadequate to protect the environment
is being ignored as the major capitalist powers responsible for climate change base their policies on the profit interests of big business
All Headlines
North Korea
Sports
Top News
Most Viewed
Korean Newspaper Headlines
Today in Korean History
Yonhap News Summary
Editorials from Korean Dailies
March 25 (Yonhap) -- Wildfires ravaging South Korea's southeastern region forced more residents to evacuate Tuesday
as firefighting authorities struggled to contain the rapidly spreading blazes that destroyed a centuries-old temple
The fires that began in Sancheong County in the southeast on Friday have spread to nearby Uiseong
in the central area of North Gyeongsang Province
The engulfing flames destroyed Gounsa Temple in Uiseong
National treasures stored in the temple had been relocated to other locations
Residents watch wildfires spreading to a nearby hillside in Andong
Authorities said the UNESCO-listed Hahoe Folk Village in Andong was at risk of being engulfed by the fires and were mobilizing all resources to protect it from destruction
The justice ministry said it was transferring some 2,600 inmates from a correctional facility in the Gyeongbuk Northern Prison in Cheongsong by bus to nearby prisons as the wildfires were spreading fast around the region
It was also reviewing the transfer of inmates from the prison in Andong holding about 800 prisoners
Acting President Han Duck-soo instructed regional governments to mobilize "all available administrative resources" to evacuate residents from wildfire-hit areas to safe locations
He ordered relevant authorities to deploy all equipment and personnel to contain the wildfires as quickly as possible
The National Fire Agency said it raised the emergency response level by one notch to the highest
burned more than 14,000 acres of woodland across the region since the fires broke out
More than 3,000 firefighters and dozens of helicopters and vehicles were deployed to fight the blazes
the military has deployed some 5,000 service members and 146 helicopters to help combat wildfires raging in South Korea's southeastern region since last week
with a dozen other people sustaining injuries
Train services and highway traffic in the southeastern region were suspended as of Tuesday afternoon
This photo shows fires in parts of a village in Uiseong County
are moved to other locations as wildfires spread into the region on March 24
in this photo provided by the Korea Heritage Service
All News
National
Economy/Finance
Biz
Culture/K-pop
Images
Videos
Korean Newspaper Headlines
Korea in Brief
Useful Links
Weather
Advertise with Yonhap News Agency
Centuries-old cultural treasures were destroyed in the east of the country.Image: YONHAP NEWS AGENCY/ReutersMassive destructionMany homes were destroyed in the South Korean district of Uiseong in the country's east
At least 24 people are believed to have died so far
Almost 9,000 firefighters and more than 130 helicopters have been deployed to tackle the flames
around 5,500 people have had to leave their homes
43,000 hectares of land have already been destroyed
Embers smoulder in the rubble after a forest fire destroyed large parts of the Gounsa Temple in Uiseong
The temple was founded in 681 during the Silla Kingdom
Most of the buildings burned to the ground
Two men secure a Buddha statue in the Bongjeong temple in the city of Andong
There are concerns that the flames could reach this temple as well
South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo described the destruction as "unprecedented" and called for a comprehensive national response to the disaster
Firefighters have been battling several fires in the country since last week
Although the emergency services had reported they had largely brought the flames under control
the fires flared up again due to dry conditions and strong winds
Investigators suspect that human error may have caused the fires
A resident stands in front of a sea of flames in Andong
The fires raged particularly fiercely here
as well as in the city of Ulsan and in the districts of Uiseong and Sancheong
which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010
A helicopter crashed during firefighting operations in Uiseong
The Korean Forestry Service stated on Wednesday that
The building from the Silla dynasty survived unscathed for more than 1,000 years before it fell victim to the third largest wildfire in the country's history
National How storied Hahoe Village survived deadly wildfires
As flames from a deadly wildfire approached within kilometers of South Korea's historic and storied Hahoe Village
firefighters employed an unconventional strategy: continuously drenching the UNESCO World Heritage village with tens of thousands of liters of water
Surrounding woodlands were also preemptively cleared to reduce the risk of the fire spreading
the flames were within 5 kilometers of Hahoe Village in Andong
a city which lies adjacent to the county of Uiseong-gun
dousing the hanok — centuries-old traditional wooden homes with straw roofs — in round upon round of water
Supported by a giant firefighting pump system and the adjacent Nakdong River
these efforts kept even a single spark from spreading to the village
“The decision to soak the fire ground is made when the size of the flames is far greater than the available firefighting capacity
It is a defensive measure applied when wildfires are expected to grow intensely
fueled either by strong winds or other risks of combustion,” a fire agency official
who was not authorized to be named in accordance with agency policy
“When speed in implementing this measure mattered the most
the large-scale fire pump system played a crucial role,” the official added
this high-capacity system can discharge up to 75,000 liters of water per minute
a rate equivalent to that of nearly 27 fire trucks
which spray 2,800 liters of water per minute
which was first introduced at Ulsan Chemical Rescue Center in 2022
caught public attention after proving its effectiveness
it was able to bring major flames under control within 15 minutes when deployed to the oil storage tank fire at Ulsan Onsan Industrial Complex
The official explained that the geographical location of Hahoe Village enabled the firefighters to apply this high-performance equipment successfully
we were able to draw water from the Nakdong River
which encircles the village,” said the official
the fire authorities deployed some 100 firefighters
21 fire trucks as well as three fire helicopters to the site for preemptive firefighting operations on Wednesday and Thursday
when the cultural heritage site was most threatened by the fast-moving wildfires
The fire agency reportedly continued to spray water all over the village every one or two hours to keep the fire from spreading in dry conditions
As part of broader efforts to protect nearby cultural sites
the fire agency also felled trees in areas near Byeongsanseowon
a 17th-century Confucian academy on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list
to eliminate any factors that could ignite small fires
Pine and oak trees in 1,322 square meters of woodland near Byeongsanseowon were cut down
and authorities built a defense line by soaking the felled trees to contain the wildfire
The fire authorities took similar firefighting measures at Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy with the fire pump system and more than 10 fire trucks
soaking the cultural heritage site to prevent wooden buildings from catching fire
Wildfires in southeastern South Korea burned through 48,238 hectares — an area equivalent to about 80 percent of the size of Seoul — despite a week of containment efforts
claiming 30 lives and injuring 45 as of Sunday morning
The Ministry of Interior and Safety announced that all the wildfires that had raged across the Gyeongsang provinces were fully contained as of Sunday afternoon
The wildfires forced more than 37,000 people to evacuate and damaged some 6,100 private and public facilities
Street vendor Kim Min-jeong hands out hotteok
at Andong Gymnasium on March 31 to volunteers and evacuees affected by the wildfire that blazed through Andong
National South Korea battles wildfires spreading in southeastern region
Wildfires started in Uiseong-gun spread to Andong-si
Wildfires in southeastern South Korea were spreading fast for the third consecutive days
with dry conditions and strong winds hindering firefighting efforts
sparking fears about the safety of the residents
A total of 6,453 firefighters and 107 fire helicopters were deployed to the sites to combat the fast-moving fires as of Monday afternoon
with thick smoke limiting helicopter access and strong winds fueling the fire’s spread
Additional evacuation alerts were sent to Andong-si
North Gyeongsang Province -- a city which lies adjacent to Uiseong-gun -- as the strong winds fueled the wildfires to spread to the city
The affected area spans about 8,732 hectares
almost a 5,000-hectare increase from the figure announced by the Interior Ministry on Sunday
The ministry said a total of five large- and medium-scale wildfires -- in Sancheong-gun and the city of Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province
Okcheon-gun in North Chungcheong Province and Ulju-gun
a western district in Ulsan -- claimed the lives of four wildfire responders and civil servants
It said the medium-sized wildfires in Gimhae and Okcheon-gun were extinguished Monday morning
Uiseong-gun and Ulju-gun are yet to be fully contained
another county located close to Uiseong-gun
planning measures to respond to the spreading fire and ensure residents’ safety
who was reinstated as the country's acting president on Monday morning
North Gyeongsang Province were added to the list of special disaster zones
The Interior Ministry explained that the decision was made as the scale of damage grew
including large-scale forest loss and the increasing number of wildfire victims
With the weekend wildfires forcing almost 800 residents to evacuate their homes
then-acting President Choi Sang-mok initially designated Sancheong-gun a special disaster zone on Saturday
directing different ministries and government organizations to speed up recovery efforts and provide more comprehensive support for victims
Negligence is suspected as the cause of the series of wildfires over the weekend that swept through hundreds of hectares in the country’s southeast
according to the police and fire authorities
Investigations have yet to begin as the fires are not yet fully contained
but the police and fire agencies tentatively speculated that various human activities started the large-scale wildfires in Sancheong-gun
Uiseong-gun and Ulju-gun after verifying reports they received
The police said they received a call from a local resident in Sancheong-gun claiming that sparks from a brush cutter used at a local farm started the fire
plan to investigate the circumstances to determine the exact cause
The police believe the wildfires in Uiseong-gun and Ulju-gun were caused by human activity as well
Individuals who visited an ancestor’s grave in Uiseong-gun reported to the local fire agency that they accidentally started a fire while tidying up the cemetery on Saturday
The police also secured testimony that a man in his 60s may have caused the fire in Ulju-gun while using welding equipment
A private hanok (traditional Korean house) where guests can stay overnight at the Rakkojae Hanok Hotel in Andong [LEE JIAN]
The lobby of the Rakkojae Hanok Hotel in Andong [LEE JIAN]
Inside a room at the Rakkojae Hanok Hotel in Andong [LEE JIAN]
Breakfast at the Rakkojae Hanok Hotel in Andong [LEE JIAN]
A view of the Andong from the hotel compound [LEE JIAN]
Ancient art is scattered around the hotel compound and rooms
and CEO Michael Ahn at the Rakkojae Hanok Hotel in Andong [LEE JIAN]
otherwise known as a traditional Korean sauna
at the Rakkojae Hanok Hotel in Andong [LEE JIAN]
A room at the Rakkojae Hanok Hotel in Andong with a bathtub [LEE JIAN]
The view from a pavilion at the Rakkojae Hanok Hotel in Andong [LEE JIAN]
Life&Culture Silla temple burned to ground as fires threaten UNESCO sites
Hahoe Village in Andong brace for direct hit
was burned to the ground as wildfires rage across southeastern Korea and now threaten two UNESCO-listed sites in Andong in the same province
Forest officials announced the temple was completely destroyed at 4:50 p.m
built in 681 during the Silla Kingdom (57 BC–935 AD)
books and statues earlier in the day as a precaution
the agency handling cultural heritage across the country
said late Tuesday that it had sent a team of officials and experts to Byeongsanseowon
a 17th-century Confucian academy on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list now at risk
“We have fire helicopters ready near the Nakdong River,” a KHS official said of preparations underway should fires approach the old academy compound
referring to firefighters’ plan to draw water from the country’s longest river
While local governments typically respond to emergencies like this
Byeongsanseowon is a state-designated historic site that warrants KHS intervention
The agency said similar preparations are underway for Hahoe Village
is home to descendants of the Ryu clan of Pungsan
seven out of 10 village people now carrying the family name Ryu
“Fire trucks and firefighters are standing ready,” the official said
About 150 people from the village have been evacuated
five counts of damage to cultural heritage maintained by the government have been reported so far
Gangwon Province; a natural monument in Hadong-gun
South Gyeongsang Province; two structures at a Goryeo shrine compound in South Gyeongsang Province; a natural monument in Ulju-gun
The wildfires in the Gyeongsang provinces are a greater threat to natural monuments than other forms of heritage because recovery is harder
The Hadong ginkgo trees in South Gyeongsang and the Ulsan evergreen trees — the natural monuments that sustained partial damage — will need some time to grow back
one of a kind along the country’s eastern coast
are significant ecologically as well as historically
Netflix's 'The Devil’s Plan' returns with star-packed season 2
Seoul to host inaugural 'MyK Festa' in June
'Smile at me': Cancer-fighting senior influencer inspires with strength
Yoo Seung-ho returns to stage as Brutus in reimagining of 'Julius Caesar'
[Photo News] Korea gears up to celebrate Buddha's birthday
Life&Culture Firefighters race to protect cultural heritage
One of the deadliest wildfires in South Korean history has culture officials scrambling to protect cultural heritage in the country’s southeastern region ravaged by the fast-burning blazes
the agency handling sites and items of historic importance
have raised the four-level disaster alert to its highest level for the first time in response to the fires
which began Friday in the Gyeongsang provinces
is a response to the growing tally of damage to cultural heritage
15 counts of heritage damage including two state-designated treasures have been reported so far
the agency has relocated 651 such treasures
Among them are Goryeo-era (918-1392) woodblocks at the temple Buseoksa
another temple built in 681 during the Silla Kingdom (57 BC–935 AD) in the same province
Many of its artifacts had been moved out of the temple Monday as a precautionary measure
Some at-risk cultural heritage has survived the fire
remained unscathed by the ravaging fires Tuesday
Flame-resistant cloth that covered the structure was instrumental in preventing it from succumbing to fire
“This cloth shields against fires up to 700 degrees Celsius
We’re guessing Tuesday’s fires fell a little short of that,” one of them said
Culture officials are now focusing on protecting two UNESCO-listed sites in Andong
North Gyeongsang Province: Byeongsanseowon
trucks and firefighters are drawing water from the Nakdong River
Korea’s longest river is the best defense fire authorities can tap into
according to culture officials on the ground
“We have 22 fire trucks and over 140 firefighters standing guard,” one official said
inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2019
a pavilion that is a state-designated treasure
Historic signboards on the compound have already been moved to the nearby World Confucian Culture Museum
with seven out of 10 villagers now carrying the family name Ryu
The village was settled beginning in the 14th century at the earliest
About 150 people from the village were evacuated late Tuesday
The village has four buildings that are state-designated treasures
Also in Andong is “Jingbirok,” a 16th-century book by Joseon-era (1392-1910) scholar Yu Seong-ryong called “The Book of Correction.” The firsthand account explores Japan’s invasion in 1592 and what could be done to avoid future incursions
It is kept at the Korean Studies Institute
Eleven “hahoetal” and two “byeongsantal” — masks used in the traditional Korean dance “talchum” — are held at the Andong City Museum
A museum official said the masks will be moved to the nearby Daegu National Museum
National Night of valor: Fire responders' all-night battle to protect heritage from wildfires
the flames in southeastern South Korea at one point threatened UNESCO-listed Hahoe Village and Byeongsanseowon
South Korean firefighters dispatched to Juwangsan National Park kept an all-night watch into Thursday
as the flames that have been burning the country's mid-section for five days and nights reached within 4 kilometers of the historic temple of Daejeonsa at one point
have destroyed multiple national treasures and historical sites
razing 36,000 hectares of forest and killing at least 26 people
Eighty-five employees of the Korea National Park Service have been dispatched to protect the temple in Cheongsong-gun
The fire authorities and the park service officials moving the relicts to safe locations and removing fire hazards and trees next to the temple
The blaze has halted its progress toward the temple
but the officials are still on full alert for potential development in the ongoing disaster
Firefighting authorities have also been dispatched to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hahoe Village in Andong-gun
Flames came within 10 kilometers of the village
which is known for its preservation of Korea's traditional culture and buildings
20 firetrucks and 130 firefighters had been mobilized at one point to protect the heritage site
with officials pouring water on the haystacks and thatched roofs of traditional buildings
Some 150 residents of the village received multiple evacuation orders
although several have stayed to watch over the fires
Wildfires had spread to within 3 kilometers of the Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy
But the wind blew the flames away from the academy and the fire in the area has been receding as of Thursday morning
The Byeongsanseowon is also a UNESCO World Heritage site
being one of the Confucian academies inscribed in 2019
the authorities are keeping watch over the historical sites in the Andong-gun in case the flames start approaching them again
They are hoping to spare the historic buildings from the fate of Gounsa — a temple founded in 681 AD — which was destroyed in the fires in nearby Uiseong-gun
the massive fires in five regions further north
in the northern part of North Gyeongsang Province
have been the most damaging of the recent string of wildfires
Authorities estimated that the fires there have been 44.3 percent contained as of Thursday morning
The fire in Andong-gun is currently 52 percent contained while flames in Cheongsong-gun are 77 percent contained
Restoration construction is underway at Imcheonggak in Andong
a traditional Korean house of the aristocrat Seokju Lee Sang-ryong (1858-1932)
in an undated photo provided by the city government
A photo provided by the Andong city government shows Imcheonggak with 99 rooms before parts of it were demolished by the Japanese government
Seokju Lee Sang-ryong [ANDONG CITY GOVERNMENT]
Today's print edition
Home Delivery
Wildfires in South Korea are now "the largest on record" having burned more forest than any previous blaze
the country's disaster chief said Thursday
More than a dozen fires broke out over the weekend
forcing around 27,000 people to urgently evacuate
with the fire cutting off roads and downing communications lines as residents fled in panic.googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1499653692894-0'); });
eight are seriously injured and 22 have been lightly injured," said Lee Han-kyung
"The forest damage has reached 35,810 hectares
already exceeding the area affected by the 2000 east coast wildfire
In a time of both misinformation and too much information
quality journalism is more crucial than ever.By subscribing
Your subscription plan doesn't allow commenting. To learn more see our FAQ
Sponsored contents planned and edited by JT Media Enterprise Division.
A wildfire burns on a mountain ridge in Giran-myeon, Andong in North Gyeongsang on March 25. The fire started in Uiseong on Saturday. [NEWS1]
A vehicle patrols Giran-myeon in Andong, North Gyeongsang on March 25 as the Uiseong fire reaches the city. [NEWS1]
A helicopter drops fire retardants on a mountain ridge in Sancheong County in South Gyeongsang on March 25. [YONHAP]
A visitor pays his condolences to firefighters and a public official who lost their lives while containing a wildfire in Sancheong County in South Gyeongsang, at a memorial altar in Changnyeong County in the same province on March 25. [YONHAP]
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
※ This service is provided by machine translation tool, NAVER papago.
This photo taken on March 27, 2025 shows a building destroyed by wildfires at the Namhu Agricultural Industrial Complex in Andong City, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday. (Xinhua/Jun Hyosang)
SEOUL, March 28 (Xinhua) -- The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday.
Since March 21, infernos had broken out in 11 areas, mostly in the southeastern Gyeongsang province, and five of them were completely extinguished, according to the central disaster and safety countermeasures headquarters.
In the remaining six areas, 83 percent of the fires were put out on average at 5:00 a.m. local time.
The blazes affected at least 48,150.61 hectares of woodland, marking the country's worst-ever wildfire damage. The previous high was in 2000 when 23,794 hectares of land were ravaged.
Of the wounded, nine people suffered serious injuries. Most of the victims were those aged 60 or higher, according to the headquarters.
The number of affected buildings and structures, such as houses and agricultural facilities, advanced to 3,481, while 23 cultural assets were destroyed. Still displaced were 8,078 people of 2,407 households.
Firefighters struggled to contain the rapidly spreading blazes, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions.
The country's forest service raised the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level on Tuesday.
More than 8,100 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and government officials, as well as 109 helicopters and 967 firefighting equipments were mobilized to combat the wildfires. ■
This photo taken on March 27, 2025 shows a wildfire in Cheongsong County, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday. (Xinhua/Jun Hyosang)
This photo taken on March 27, 2025 shows a building destroyed by wildfires at the Namhu Agricultural Industrial Complex in Andong City, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
Evacuees of a wildfire rest at a community hall used as a shelter in Cheongsong County, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, March 27, 2025.
A firefighter checks fire prevention facilities at the Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.
The death toll rose to 28, with 37 others injured, in South Korea's worst-ever wildfires, government compilation showed Friday.
The country's forest service raised the wildfire crisis alert to the highest level on Tuesday. More than 8,100 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and government officials, as well as 109 helicopters and 967 firefighting equipment were mobilized to combat the wildfires. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)
Firefighters carry out fire prevention work at the Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.
Firefighters carry out fire prevention work around the Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.
Fire engines are on standby at the Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.
A firefighter carries out fire prevention work at the Hahoe Folk Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Andong City, South Korea, March 28, 2025.
‘We are nationally in a critical situation’, says acting president as blaze doubles
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
‘We are nationally in a critical situation’
Wildfires raging in South Korea doubled in size today
with authorities calling them the country’s worst fire disaster on record
more than 35,810 hectares (88,488 acres) of land in the southeast has been scorched
The fire that began in Uiseong county is now the biggest single forest fire in South Korea’s history
surpassing the 24,000-hectare blaze of March 2000
At least 27 people were confirmed dead
including a pilot of a firefighting helicopter which crashed yesterday
Hundreds of structures have been burnt or damaged, including historic 7th-century Buddhist temple that was reduced to ashes as the fire continued to expand
“We are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires,” acting president Han Duck Soo said at a government response meeting
The Uiseong fire spread rapidly on Wednesday
While light rain is forecast in the southwest
most affected areas are expected to receive less than 5mm
Wildfires raging in South Korea doubled in size today from a day earlier
as authorities called the blazes the country's worst fire disaster
More than 35,000 hectares (88,000 acres) have been charred or were still burning in the largest of the fires that began in the central Uiseong county
making it the biggest single forest fire in South Korea's history
The previous record was 24,000 hectares (59,000 acres) in a March 2000 fire
The wildfires that originated in Uiseong have been moving rapidly eastward
carried by gusty winds and with dry conditions aggravating the situation
The Uiseong fire began spreading quickly yesterday
reaching the coastal county of Yeongdeok 51km (32 miles) away in just 12 hours
director of satellite imagery analysis for the national forestry service
South Korea's acting president Han Duck-soo called the wildfires “unprecedented” yesterday and said the crisis was “rewriting the record books for the worst wildfires in our nation's history”
"There are concerns that we'll have wildfire damages that we've never experienced
so we have to concentrate all our capabilities to put out the wildfires in the rest of this week."
Speaking at a government response meeting today
he said: "We are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires."
The military has released stocks of aviation fuel to help keep firefighting helicopters flying to douse flames across mountainous regions in the southeast of the country
where fires have been burning now for nearly a week
More than 120 helicopters have been deployed in three regions battling the blazes
South Korea relies on helicopters to fight forest fires because of its mountainous terrain
A helicopter pilot died yesterday after crashing while trying to tackle a blaze
Over 300 structures, including houses, factories and a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple have been destroyed, officials said on Wednesday.
The Gounsa temple, founded in 681 during the Silla Dynasty, was destroyed in Uiseong. Heritage officials said some of the site’s national treasures, including an eighth-century stone Buddha statue, were removed before the flames reached the main wooden buildings.
The cause of the wildfire isn't clear yet, but it is suspected that the fires were triggered by human activity, possibly sparks from welding or people clearing dry grass near ancestral tombs, some reports said.
However, officials say the rapid spread of the flames and unprecedented scale was a result of unusually hot and dry conditions.
"This wildfire has once again exposed the harsh reality of a climate crisis unlike anything we've experienced before," disaster chief Lee said.
"The affected areas have seen only half the average rainfall, coupled with unusually strong winds, which have drastically accelerated the spread of the fire and intensified the damage," he said.
Higher temperatures amplified by human-caused climate change contributed to the existing seasonally dry conditions, "turning dry landscapes into dangerous fire fuel" in the region, the Climate Central group, an independent body made up of scientists and researchers, said in a report.
The wildfires have carved a trail of devastation through an area equivalent to about half the area of Singapore, ravaging everything in their path including historic temples and homes in the mountainous forest regions of North Gyeongsang province.
Teams of firefighters are on standby to protect the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Hahoe Village and the Byeongsan Confucian Academy in the city of Andong, if a blaze jumps the stream that flows around them.
The picturesque folk village has traditional Korean houses, many with thatched roofs, while the Confucian academy dates back more than 450 years.
The fires have already badly damaged other historic sites, including much of Gounsa Temple in Uiseong, which was built in 681.
"The buildings and remains of what Buddhist monks have left over 1,300 years are now all gone," said Deungwoon, the head of the Gounsa Temple.
Death toll from South Korea's wildfires rose to 27 today as officials confirmed three more deaths.
The fatalities include a pilot whose helicopter crashed during efforts to contain a fire yesterday and four firefighters and other workers who died earlier after being trapped by fast-moving flames.
Authorities haven't disclosed details of the civilian dead, except that they are mostly in their 60s or older who found it difficult to escape quickly or who even refused orders to evacuate.
They suspect human error caused several of the wildfires, including cases where people started fires while clearing overgrown grass from family tombs or with sparks during welding work.
The current wildfires in South Korea and California this year are part of a growing global pattern driven by climate change, according to experts.
“Only three months into 2025, we’ve already witnessed record-breaking wildfire activity in multiple regions,” said Dr Kimberley Simpson, fellow at the University of Sheffield’s School of Biosciences. “As climate change drives rising temperatures and alters rainfall patterns, the conditions that give rise to these devastating fires are becoming more frequent.”
Dr Simpson said that both California’s January fires and South Korea’s ongoing blazes were preceded by unusually warm, dry weather, leaving vegetation dangerously flammable. “Strong winds in both cases spread the flames rapidly and made firefighting far more difficult,” she said.
Older1 / 2Newer{"liveBlogId":2020300,"initialPosts":[{"type":"post","data":{"name":"2020300","title":"South Korea's wildfire doubles up in size
becomes the largest on record","id":2020306,"uuid":"6c9b83da-ba9c-49a3-97c3-60bfaee2adae","scheduleTime":"0","created":"1743062280","changed":"1743062280","container":2020300,"user":{"name":"Stuti Mishra"},"extra":{"authorName":"Stuti Mishra"}},"postJson":[{"type":"markup","data":{"markup":"Wildfires raging in South Korea doubled in size today from a day earlier
\"There are concerns that we'll have wildfire damages that we've never experienced
so we have to concentrate all our capabilities to put out the wildfires in the rest of this week.\"
he said: \"We are nationally in a critical situation with numerous casualties because of the unprecedented rapid spread of forest fires.\"
A burnt-out house in a destroyed village is seen in Cheongsong
Smoke rises from burning trees as a wildfire is reflected in the waters of the Nakdong River in Andong
A man walks near a burnt-out house in a damaged village in Yeongyang
A wildfire is seen next to a stone lantern of family tomb in Andong
Over 300 structures, including houses, factories and a 1,300-year-old Buddhist temple have been destroyed, officials said on Wednesday.
The Gounsa temple, founded in 681 during the Silla Dynasty, was destroyed in Uiseong. Heritage officials said some of the site’s national treasures, including an eighth-century stone Buddha statue, were removed before the flames reached the main wooden buildings.
\"This wildfire has once again exposed the harsh reality of a climate crisis unlike anything we've experienced before,\" disaster chief Lee said.
\"The affected areas have seen only half the average rainfall, coupled with unusually strong winds, which have drastically accelerated the spread of the fire and intensified the damage,\" he said.
Higher temperatures amplified by human-caused climate change contributed to the existing seasonally dry conditions, \"turning dry landscapes into dangerous fire fuel\" in the region, the Climate Central group, an independent body made up of scientists and researchers, said in a report.
The wildfires have carved a trail of devastation through an area equivalent to about half the area of Singapore, ravaging everything in their path including historic temples and homes in the mountainous forest regions of North Gyeongsang province.
\"The buildings and remains of what Buddhist monks have left over 1,300 years are now all gone,\" said Deungwoon, the head of the Gounsa Temple.
Pavilions are seen at the Gounsa temple in Uiseong, South Korea
They suspect human error caused several of the wildfires, including cases where people started fires while clearing overgrown grass from family tombs or with sparks during welding work.
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
govt and politics"},{"score":0.894126,"label":"/law
※ This service is provided by machine translation tool
The North and South Gyeongsang regions are home to numerous historical and cultural assets
The massive blaze prompted authorities to take urgent measures to relocate them or protect them from the fires as much as possible
"The wildfire is currently about 8 kilometers from Hahoe Village," an official at the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) said
adding that fire trucks and dozens of firefighters are on standby and spraying water around the premise to prevent the fire from spreading
The KHS said it is relocating key cultural artifacts in case the situation worsens
It has raised its own disaster alert level to "serious," the first time the institution has ever done so
The justice ministry began to transfer some 3,500 inmates from correctional facilities in Cheongsong and Andong to nearby prisons as the wildfires were spreading fast around the region
A 65-year-old woman was found burned to death on a roadside in Cheongsong
Police believe that she was killed while evacuating the area by car
March 28 (Yonhap) -- Acting President Han Duck-soo visited Andong on Friday
one of a number of cities in the southeast devastated by this week's wildfires
Han visited a wildfire command center to be briefed by forestry and government officials on the containment rate and relief efforts for displaced people
the military and local government personnel
and asked that they continue to do their best until the blazes are completely extinguished
Han also asked for thorough evacuation procedures for vulnerable citizens
noting that many of those killed or injured in the wildfires were in their 60s or older
and called for special care to provide temporary shelters and essential items for displaced people
the acting president visited an indoor gym housing the displaced residents to offer his comfort and promise the government's full support until recovery from the wildfire damage is complete
an average of 94 percent of wildfires across five cities and counties in North Gyeongsang Province
Acting President Han Duck-soo (L) meets with people displaced by wildfires at an indoor gym in Uiseong
March 25 (Yonhap) -- Residents of the southeastern city of Andong have been advised to evacuate to safe locations as wildfires continue to spread across the region
located about 190 kilometers southeast of Seoul
issued the evacuation order to all citizens as wildfires from the southeastern county of Uiseong spread into the area due to strong winds and dry weather conditions
"Wildfires are rapidly spreading due to strong winds," Andong city said in a disaster alert sent to residents
a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site designated in 2010 and one of South Korea's most popular tourist attractions
as wildfires spread across the region on March 25
The Embassy of Israel in South Korea has donated relief supplies to support local residents affected by the devastating wildfires in the Yeongnam region, said the Israeli Embassy in Seoul on Friday.
The assistance, provided through MASHAV, Israel’s official aid agency, aims to help displaced residents in Andong recover from the disaster.
Sharing a press statement with The Korea Herald, the embassy said that relief supplies coordinated through the Korean Red Cross will be used for disaster recovery efforts in Andong, a city that shares a sister-city relationship with Holon, Israel.
According to the embassy, the partnership has fostered strong cultural ties, with Andong Park established in Holon in 2002 and Holon Park inaugurated in Andong in the same year.
The cities formalized their friendship agreement in 2004.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathy to the victims' families and residents affected by the unprecedented wildfires,” said Israeli Ambassador to Korea Rafael Harpaz.
Israel stands in solidarity with the Korean people during this challenging time, said Harpaz.
“We commend the bravery and tireless efforts of the firefighters and emergency responders working to contain the fires and protect lives and property,” added the ambassador.
Interviews and stories about the diplomatic corps in Seoul.
CJ ENM, Amazon Prime sign deal to increase K-content access
Venezuela, Korea mark 60 years of ties with sculpture
Time to stimulate India-Korea links through Buddhism, traditional medicine
[Bridge to Africa] Rwanda honors 1994 genocide victims, calls for lessons from history
Koryo saram are 'living bridges' of Kazakh-Korean ties, say young leaders
Indian Embassy, Dongguk University team up for Buddha’s Birthday
[Bridge to Africa] Morocco-Korea cooperation essential bridge for global trade, says minister
[Herald Interview] Expert urges German, S. Korean support for ICC in Trump era
[Contribution] Three decades of friendship: Egypt, Korea moving forward together
Kazakhstan vows stronger interethnic harmony
Diplomats urge removing ICC jurisdiction limits at Seoul event
Features and interviews on drug crimes and young addicts’ stories in South Korea.
The Korea Herald by Herald Corporation. Copyright Herald Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
A traditional house in Hahoe Village | © Mimsie Ladner
Today, it is a popular destination thanks to the beautifully preserved choga (traditional houses with straw-thatched roofs) that make up the village, as well as the age-old customs that are upheld by the residents that live in them
Although the homes now have modern amenities (such as electricity and cable)
they continue to provide a peek into South Korea’s not-so-distant rural past
In addition to touring the homes, restaurants, and workshops of this quaint village, guests can also sleep here, too
and boutique hotels that invite visitors to enjoy this unique cultural experience
with the most famous guest of honor being Queen Elizabeth II
who celebrated her 73rd birthday here in 1999
View Tours >>
Scarecrows watch over Andong’s Hahoe Village | © Mimsie Ladner
Take a shot of soju Korea’s infamous soju – the local firewater that is often the main attraction of company dinners and outings with friends – was born in the 13th century when Mongol invaders brought arak’s distillation methods to the Andong region
Traditional soju is to this day produced in Andong
ubiquitous green bottles made from diluted ethanol produced from sweet potatoes
this regional specialty is created using a blend of fermented and distilled rice and grains
Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips
See privacy policy
View Tours >>
Located at the foothills of Hwasan Mountain, Hahoe Village boasts a number of exquisite scenic sights. In fact, its name translates to ‘Village Enveloped by Water,’ referring to the Nakdong River which flows around the perimeter of the town
To experience Andong in all its natural beauty
take a ferry from the village across the river to Buyongdae
This 64-meter-high cliff is easily accessible and offers a bird’s eye view of the traditional homes of Haehoe Village below
View Tours >>
Often associated with Korea’s iconic wooden masks, Andong is also home to the Maskdance Festival
which is held every September or October to celebrate the city’s folk traditions including talchum
a form of storytelling through dance in which the participants wear masks
Ahead of the festival, stop by the Hahoe Mask Museum
where you can get a better understanding of the time-honored Korean masks
as well as the storylines of the various mask dances
View Tours >>
Andong has no shortage of regional culinary specialties
including gan godeungeo (salted mackerel) and heotjesabap (various funerary foods) but its real gastronomic gem is jjimdalk
a braised chicken and vegetable stew served with cellophane noodles in a soy sauce-based broth
The slurp-worthy sauce is a perfect mix of savory and spicy that promises to have you eating your way into a food coma
Sample the dish at the Andong Market at the center of town
where dozens of restaurateurs serve up the specialty
each refining the ingredients to their own versions of perfection
one of the oldest restaurants in the area and situated near the entrance of the market
is a good place to try the traditional dish
View Tours >>
Get spiritual at Bongjeongsa Temple While the majority of the city’s tourist attractions are associated with the Confucian Joseon Dynasty, Bongjeongsa Temple dates back to the preceding Goryeo Dynasty, an era when Buddhism was the country’s primary religion
Don’t miss Geungnakjeon (or ‘Nirvana Hall’)
the temple also boasts a number of interesting architectural works from the early and mid-Joseon era
A particularly noteworthy area of interest is Yeongsanam
a 19th-century hermitage situated just outside the main temple
From Cheongnyangni Station, seven trains run daily between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., while one train runs daily from Seoul Station. Travel time is four to five hours. For faster transport, take bus #13 from Dong Seoul Bus Terminal
See & Do 10 of the Oldest Cities in the World
See & Do The 8 Most Beautiful Places to See Cherry Blossoms in South Korea
Guides & Tips 6 Things to See and Do in Andong
Guides & Tips The Best Places to Travel in November
See & Do The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in South Korea in the Spring
Guides & Tips The Most Beautiful Islands in South Korea
Guides & Tips 13 Hilarious Arabic Swear Words and Phrases
Architecture The Most Amazing Buildings In Seoul
Guides & Tips The Best Places to Travel in October
Guides & Tips A Hiker's Guide to Jeju Island
See & Do The Best Places for an Asian Spring Break
See & Do The Best Things to See and Do in Haeundae
US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000
tripssupport@theculturetrip.com
© Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd
March 29 (Yonhap) -- Wildfires reignited in the southeastern part of the country overnight
and firefighting helicopters were dispatched to extinguish them
An official with Gyeongbuk Fire Service Headquarters said reports of smoke in Andong
some 190 kilometers southeast of Seoul in North Gyeongsang Province
Forestry officials believe the fire reignited around 3 a.m
A firefighting helicopter tries to extinguish a wildfire in Andong
blocked off a section of a nearby highway at 5 a.m
With vehicles unable to reach the mountainous areas
helicopters were called in to contain the fire
Officials said fires had also restarted in other parts of the province
Regional officials called in firefighting helicopters
along with 230 firefighters and public servants and 50 soldiers
a fire that started near a transmission tower around 9 p.m
Cheongsong officials warned residents to brace for a possible power outage
The Korea Forest Service had announced wildfires in North Gyeongsang had been fully brought under control as of 5 p.m
after killing or injuring dozens of people and forcing thousands of others to flee
equivalent to some 80 percent of the size of Seoul
have been scorched in the worst wildfire disaster ever in South Korea
Although a forest fire is spreading throughout Uiseong County in North Gyeongsang Province
some local residents are refusing to leave their beloved homes
Seo and his family of three stayed in their home even after receiving an emergency text alert to evacuate
Seo said that he spent the entire previous night turning on and off 10 sprinklers around his property
then of course we’ll have to leave,” he said
“There is nothing more important than a human life
but I want to stick by my house until the last moment
the surrounding mountains were smothered in clouds of smoke
and the fire started creeping its way toward the village
They ran outside the house and watched helplessly from across the street as firefighters sprayed water on their home to put the fire out
who splits his time between Pohang and Andong
“I was watching news about the Uiseong fire and I heard our neighborhood mentioned
I was worried so I came home yesterday afternoon (Monday).”
but I thought I needed to keep an eye on things through to the end,” he said
but it was right in my backyard before I knew it,” he added
After the Uiseong fire spread to the rural village of Hyeonha
which falls in the township of Giran in Andong
all the residents of Giran and some of the residents of the nearby Namseon and Imha villages had to evacuate
CCTV footage from the Jungang Expressway near Namhu in Andong shows fires burning off the shoulder of the highway
Pungcheon is home to the UNESCO World Heritage sites Hahoe Village and Byeongsan Seowon
a Confucian academy dating back to the 1500s
Residents who fled their homes to avoid the inferno had only two or three days to evacuate
Andong Gymnasium in Andong’s Unheong neighborhood was full of people who had evacuated their homes because of the Uiseong fire
“This is the first time I’ve experienced anything like this,” repeatedly massaging her aching leg
This was already the second evacuation for Kim and other Baekja residents
Upon hearing news that the fire could spread to the village
they fled to the local community center and to Giran Elementary School on Sunday night
they returned to their homes upon hearing things had improved
The police had to come and carry me out [because I have trouble walking].”
forgot her diabetes medication during both evacuations
I was about to eat lunch when I got the alert
I didn’t realize I’d left behind my medicine until much later,” she said
but the fire just keeps spreading whichever way the wind blows.”
“I’m praying that the only home I have isn’t burned down,” they said
As fierce winds carried the fires into new areas
regional highways and train lines were shut down
The Korea Expressway Corporation announced at 5 pm Tuesday that 94 kilometers of highway from the Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway’s West Uiseong Interchange and the Yeongdeok Interchange and 37.7 kilometers of highway from the Jungang Expressway’s Uiseong Interchange to the West Andong Interchange had been completely shut down to traffic
The Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL) announced that the fire had spread to the Hahwa Tunnel area on the central Jungang railway line between Andong to Uiseong
and that it had shut down the railway line from Andong to Gyeongju
Four high-speed railways and three standard railways were shut down on Tuesday
When the fire spread all the way to Cheongsong
prison authorities decided to evacuate inmates in the correctional institution formerly known as Cheongsong Prison as well as those serving time at Andong Prison
The Korea Correctional Service ordered buses to be dispatched to Cheongsong Prison and its affiliated vocational training center
They were transferred to 14 facilities operated by the Daegu Regional Correction Headquarters
Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]
(ATTN: CHANGES headline; UPDATES with more info in paras 2-3)
March 26 (Yonhap) -- Tensions are rising around Hahoe Folk Village in the southeastern city of Andong on Wednesday
as wildfires that started in nearby Uiseong County last week are approaching the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site
The city sent out emergency text alerts to residents near Hahoe Village and Byeongsan Seowon at around 8:20 p.m
advising them to take shelter as the wildfires approached the area
"Our drone detected temperatures of around 40 degrees (C) at a location four kilometers from Byeongsan Seowon so we advised residents to evacuate," an official said
is one of the most famous and popular folk villages in South Korea and was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 2010
It preserves houses and traditions from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910)
Firefighters spray water on houses of Hahoe Folk Village in the southeastern city of Andong on March 26
The forest fire broke out in Uiseong's Ansa district
and smoke has flowed into the village along the direction of the wind
The village's 200 or so residents have been evacuated to a safe place since early Wednesday morning
and the village itself is currently deserted
Smoke began to slowly flow into the village at around 10 a.m.
and the concentration thickened after noon
The village was covered with thick gray smoke
and the smell was so pungent that it was difficult to breathe without a mask
Authorities mobilized 14 firefighting vehicles and 98 personnel to prevent Hahoe village from any possible fire-related damage
Firefighters have been busy spraying water and flame retardant over Hahoe village houses and the pine forest around the village every two hours