South Korea wildfires: Village leader dies trying to save neighbours

A South Korean village leader tragically died while trying to help his family and neighbours as wildfires swept through Yeongyang, claiming at least 28 lives.

As the flames of a devastating wildfire surged towards the town of Samui-ri in South Korea’s mountainous southeast this week, a village leader, known only by his surname Kwon, hurried home in an attempt to assist his family and neighbours.

Tragically, his body, along with those of his wife and another family member, was discovered hours later on Tuesday near the burnt-out remains of their car on the road leading to the village. The settlement itself was spared, yet South Korea’s worst wildfires in recent history claimed at least 28 lives.

“The fire was so dense he couldn’t see where he was going … He was the head of the village and felt it was his duty to return,” said his next-door neighbour, 71-year-old Moon Han-sick.

Dressed in a black suit and tie as a mark of mourning, Moon joined fellow residents on Friday at a temporary memorial of white flowers in Kwon’s front yard, ahead of the funeral for the victims.

“He did all the hard work in the village … The elderly struggle with farming and aren’t skilled with machinery, so he would simply step in and help,” Moon told Reuters.

Kwon would often bring him gifts of home-grown produce, including peppers and cabbage, he added.

The 65-year-old was among six people who perished in Yeongyang, a county with a population of roughly 15,000 spread across 816 square kilometres (315 square miles) of mountainous terrain, blanketed in pine forests and dotted with towering white wind turbines.

The fire moved with such speed that it reached people’s homes within minutes of the first warning, with some villagers only alerted by those fleeing from neighbouring areas.

Rain, and at one point even snow, fell in Yeongyang on Friday, bringing an end to the disaster as authorities confirmed the fires in North Gyeongsang province had been contained after nearly a week of devastation.

“The victims were completely trapped,” said county governor Oh Do-chang, who declared five days of mourning.

“Some lost their lives while having dinner as their homes were suddenly engulfed in flames, while others died trying to warn others of the approaching fire.”

Kwon leaves behind grieving loved ones, an empty house, and the newly planted apple trees in his field.

“He was always devoted and selfless,” said his tearful relative, 55-year-old Woo Seung-ho. “I hope you are at peace in heaven—until we meet again.”

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