Deadly wildfires in South Korea’s southeastern region have claimed at least 18 lives and forced over 27,000 residents to flee. Thousands of firefighters, supported by military personnel, are battling the blazes, which have destroyed neighborhoods and threatened UNESCO World Heritage sites.
At least 18 people have been confirmed dead as wildfires continue to devastate South Korea’s southeastern region, marking one of the country’s worst forest fires in decades. Thousands of firefighters, supported by the military, are working tirelessly to control the blazes that have forced more than 27,000 residents to evacuate their homes. The fires, driven by dry conditions and strong winds, have destroyed entire neighborhoods, shut down schools, and even prompted the relocation of hundreds of prisoners.
Acting President Han Duck-soo reported that authorities are deploying all available resources in response to the fires, calling the situation dire. The U.S. military in Korea has also joined the effort to combat the flames. As of Wednesday morning, 14 fatalities were linked to a wildfire in Uiseong county, while four others died in a separate blaze in Sancheong county. Many of the victims were elderly, with many in their 60s and 70s.
The fire in Uiseong, which is only 68% contained, has spread with alarming speed and scale, exacerbated by powerful winds. Experts warned that dry conditions in the region would persist, increasing the difficulty of containment. Lee Byung-doo, a forest disaster expert, stated that global climate change is likely to make such fires more frequent, emphasizing the need for increased resources and trained personnel to handle large-scale wildfires.
South Korea’s mountainous terrain has made firefighting particularly challenging, and while the country typically relies on helicopters for firefighting efforts, the lack of available aircraft has drawn criticism. Eight Russian helicopters, part of the country’s fire-fighting fleet, have been grounded since last year due to sanctions imposed over the Ukraine war. In response, the Korea Forest Service has pledged to secure more firefighting helicopters and resources.
The fires in Uiseong have already caused significant damage, destroying ancient temples and homes. The flames are now threatening UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Hahoe Village and the Byeongsan Confucian Academy in Andong city. Authorities are working to protect these cultural landmarks by spraying fire retardants. Over 15,000 hectares of land have been burned so far, and the affected areas have been designated as special disaster zones by the government.
Two North Korean fishermen picked up by South Korean patrols in March remain stranded in the South as Pyongyang refuses to respond to requests for their return.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers’ meeting in South Korea took on new urgency as countries sought dialogue with the United States before a 90-day suspension on tariffs ends in July.
Families of victims killed in the Jeju Air plane crash last December have filed a criminal complaint against 15 people, including South Korea's transport minister and the airline's CEO, accusing them of professional negligence.
South Korea’s presidential candidates kicked off their campaigns on Monday, promising to heal a fractured nation, boost the economy, and navigate a trade dispute with the United States, ahead of the June 3 snap election triggered by the ousting of president Yoon Suk Yeol.
Uzbekistan and South Korea are deepening their collaboration on railway development as both countries advance plans for a high-speed passenger rail line connecting Tashkent and Samarkand.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Washington for critical talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, aiming to defuse tensions and secure trade and investment deals as U.S.-South Africa relations face challenges.
Iran and the United States will hold the fifth round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Rome on Friday, with Oman continuing its role as mediator. The talks come amid ongoing skepticism from Tehran and Washington’s push for a tougher deal.
Andriy Portnov, previously a senior aide to former Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovich, was gunned down outside a school in Madrid, raising concerns about politically motivated violence in Spain.
A recent hack of the messaging app TeleMessage exposed messages from over 60 U.S. government officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The platform was taken offline as investigations continue, with key figures and the company remaining silent.
Greek gas supplier DEPA Commercial has announced a €600 million agreement to construct a 792 MW gas-fired power plant in Larissa, aiming to boost energy supply, create jobs, and reduce electricity prices amid the country’s green transition.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on May 15, with discussions reportedly focusing on upcoming peace talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegates in Istanbul.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
Ukrainian and Russian delegations meet behind closed doors at Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace at 10:00 local time today to explore security guarantees, territorial integrity and a possible ceasefire.
The Tehran Dialogue Forum 2025, scheduled for May 18–19, will host 200 international guests, including 40 current and former European officials.
Donald Trump announced a $175 billion, three-year plan to build a sweeping missile defense system dubbed “Golden Dome,” aiming to shield the U.S. from global and even space-based threats.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Washington for critical talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, aiming to defuse tensions and secure trade and investment deals as U.S.-South Africa relations face challenges.
Iran and the United States will hold the fifth round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Rome on Friday, with Oman continuing its role as mediator. The talks come amid ongoing skepticism from Tehran and Washington’s push for a tougher deal.
Andriy Portnov, previously a senior aide to former Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovich, was gunned down outside a school in Madrid, raising concerns about politically motivated violence in Spain.
A recent hack of the messaging app TeleMessage exposed messages from over 60 U.S. government officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The platform was taken offline as investigations continue, with key figures and the company remaining silent.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is in Washington for critical talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, aiming to defuse tensions and secure trade and investment deals as U.S.-South Africa relations face challenges.
Iran and the United States will hold the fifth round of indirect nuclear negotiations in Rome on Friday, with Oman continuing its role as mediator. The talks come amid ongoing skepticism from Tehran and Washington’s push for a tougher deal.
Andriy Portnov, previously a senior aide to former Ukrainian president, Viktor Yanukovich, was gunned down outside a school in Madrid, raising concerns about politically motivated violence in Spain.
A recent hack of the messaging app TeleMessage exposed messages from over 60 U.S. government officials, including National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The platform was taken offline as investigations continue, with key figures and the company remaining silent.
Greek gas supplier DEPA Commercial has announced a €600 million agreement to construct a 792 MW gas-fired power plant in Larissa, aiming to boost energy supply, create jobs, and reduce electricity prices amid the country’s green transition.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment