South Korea Investigates Man in Connection with Deadly Wildfire Incident

As South Korea grapples with the aftermath of a devastating wildfire that claimed 30 lives, a man engaged in ancestral rites is under investigation for potentially starting the blaze. Authorities are probing his actions while monitoring the extensive damage left behind.

A 56-year-old individual is currently being investigated in South Korea on suspicions of igniting a catastrophic wildfire that tragically resulted in the deaths of 30 individuals. The man, who remains unnamed, was reportedly engaged in an ancestral ceremony at a family grave on a hill in Uiseong county, located in North Gyeongsang province, during the time of the fire. While he has been formally booked, he has yet to be arrested and will be questioned following the completion of the site investigation. He has denied the allegations against him.

Recently, officials confirmed that the primary fires have been fully controlled, nearly ten days after their onset, leading to extensive damage to various structures, including historic temples. Investigators are said to have interviewed the man’s daughter, who indicated that the flames may have sparked as her father attempted to incinerate tree branches over the graves using a cigarette lighter.

According to the Korea Forest Service, the wildfire has ravaged over 48,000 hectares, an area approximately equivalent to 80% of the size of Seoul. The fires have destroyed roughly 4,000 buildings, which includes homes, factories, and several national treasures. Among the fortresses lost is Goun Temple—an ancient site recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site—built in 618 AD, marking one of the largest temples in the province.

The majority of those affected by the disaster were older adults, aged between 60 and 70 years. Rapidly escalating the situation were the strong, dry winds alongside unseasonably warm weather and dry pine forests, which contributed to the fire's rapid expansion across various cities and counties. In response to the crisis, Acting President Han Duck-soo has declared that the government will allocate financial support for those displaced due to the wildfires, signaling ongoing efforts to provide aid as an investigation involving police, fire authorities, and forestry management gears up for next week.