The worst forest fires ever in South Korea have left 24 people dead, destroyed more than 200 structures and forced 27,000 people to evacuate.
The 'unprecedented' Blazes have also seen old treasures – including a 1,300 -year -old Buddhist temple – reduced to smoldering debris while continuing to tear through the country this morning.
The rising death toll includes a pilot of a helicopter fighting against the forest fires killed in a crash and four victims who burned his car when they tried to escape, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Flames flooded the Gounsa temple, in the southeastern city of Uiseong, yesterday and about 20 of the 30 buildings of the temple were irreparably damaged.
Two of the most expensive structures were burned on the ground while monks fought to save the remaining relics.
“I went there this morning and discovered that they have been reduced to a huge as much as,” said Doryun, a senior monk who lived in the temple when he was younger.
“I feel really empty. Life is of transient nature. '
Fortunately Doryun said that monks managed to move the third 'treasure' from the temple, a stone Buddha statue reportedly built in the 8th century, to a safe place.
The worst forest fires in South Korea have left 24 people dead, destroyed more than 200 structures and forced 27,000 people to evacuate
The 'unprecedented' Blazes have also seen old treasures – including a 1,300 year old Buddhist temple – reduced to smoldering debris while continuing to tear through the country this morning
The rising death toll includes a pilot of a helicopter fighting against the forest fires killed in a crash and four victims who burned their car when they were tried to escape the fires, Yonhap News Agency reported
Flames flooded the Gounsa Temple, in the southeastern city of Uiseong, yesterday and about 20 of the 30 buildings of the temple were irreparably damaged
He added: 'Many buildings were burned down, but we have moved and protected other holy assets so that we maintain the temple. We find it very happy. '
Doryun also said that around 20 monks and other employees live in the temple, but nobody was injured.
So far, more than 43,000 hectares have been destroyed by the brutal Blazes and it is said that the damage 'snowball'.
Acting President Han Duck-Sooo said that the crisis remains critical and “rewrites the record books for the worst forest fires in the history of our nation.”
The fires started on Friday afternoon in Sancheong County and later spread to Uiseong County, the authorities said.
Fed by strong and dry wind, they now spread to the adjacent provinces of Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang and Yeongdeok.
The Gounsa temple was reportedly built in the 7th century during the Shilla Dynasty that at the time ruled the area and other parts of the Korean peninsula.
It is located at the foot of Deungun Mountain in the southeastern city of Uiseong.
So far, more than 43,000 hectares have been destroyed by the brutal Blazes, but the damage would be 'snowball'
Fortunately, Doryun said that monks managed to move the third 'treasure' of the temple, reportedly a stone Buddha statue built in the 8th century, to a safe place
Firefighters extinguish hotspots at the remains of Burnt-Out Gaunru Pavilion
A Buddha statue, wrapped in cotton cloth and a fire-retardant blanket, remains undamaged after most buildings were burned on the ground in a wildfire in Gounsa Temple in Uiseong
Although it does not place buildings that were built in the old period, it is home to various famous cultural heritage that were later built.
The temple was destroyed on Tuesday, together with the two respected structures: 'Gaunru', a pavilion -shaped structure built in 1668 with a view of a stream, and 'Yeonsujeon', another traditional structure built in 1904 to mark the life of a king.
Both were built during the Joseon Dynasty, the last on the Korean peninsula and received the status of 'treasure' by the government.
The status is given to old assets with historical and artistic significance that receive protection and maintenance at state level.
The Heritage Service of Korea said that the other other two cultural assets of the temple, including a stone pagoda, were also found intact.
Thousands of firefighters and around 5,000 soldiers have been deployed to contain several fires, as well as helicopters from the American soldiers stationed in Korea.
On Tuesday, the National Fire Agency said it had increased the crisis to the highest fire response level, the first time this year such a warning was issued.
Wild burning is relatively unusual in South Korea and related fatalities are rare.
Acting President Han said that all available staff and equipment have been used, but strong wind continues to hinder support efforts.
“Today we hope desperate for rain or tomorrow to extinguish the flames,” Han added.
A fire truck passes a cracked temple bubble that remains after most buildings were burned on the ground in a natural fire in Gounsa Temple
Evacués stay in a community hall that is used as a hiding place in Yeongyang, North Gyeongsang Province, Southeast South Korea, on March 26, 2025, after a natural fire broke out in the region
Thousands of firefighters and around 5,000 soldiers have been deployed to contain several fires, as well as helicopters of the US Army stationed in Korea
“This level of natural fires is different from everything we have experienced before.”
There was no rain forecast for the region on Wednesday and only a small amount – five to 10 mm – on Thursday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.
Han said that the government will thoroughly revise all shortcomings in the natural fire reaction once the crisis has been controlled and wants to improve the prevention strategies for the future.
“As soon as a natural fire starts, it requires enormous means and endangers the precious lives,” he said.
