Authorities reported the destruction of several historic Buddhist temples dating back to the 9th century, along with hundreds of homes and businesses. Over 6,200 residents were evacuated as flames consumed more than 12,000 hectares of land. “This is an unprecedented disaster for our cultural heritage,” said a spokesperson from South Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration.
The tragedy has sparked debates about climate preparedness in East Asia, with meteorologists noting a 35% increase in extreme weather events across the region since 2020. Local officials have launched investigations into the fires’ origins while coordinating international aid efforts to preserve damaged artifacts.
