South Korea Battles Reignited Wildfires as Death Toll Rises to 29

Despite improved conditions containing 85% of the fires, flare-ups in Andong highlight ongoing challenges in the nation's largest wildfire disaster.

The wildfires, which began on March 21 in Uiseong County, have burned over 48,000 hectares, making them the largest in South Korea's history.
Light rain and cooler temperatures have aided containment efforts, with 85% of the fires now under control, but flare-ups were reported in Andong on March 29.
The disaster has claimed 29 lives, displaced over 30,000 residents, and destroyed thousands of homes, factories, and cultural heritage sites, including the 1,300-year-old Gounsa Temple.
South Korea’s aging rural population has been disproportionately affected, with many victims and evacuees in their 60s and 70s, underscoring vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness.
Government officials have pledged to overhaul wildfire response strategies, focusing on night-time firefighting capabilities and evacuation protocols for elderly populations.