Historic Buddha Statue Lost as Centuries-Old Temple Destroyed in South Korea Wildfires
A devastating wildfire has swept through South Korea’s southeastern regions, leaving at least 24 people dead and causing immense destruction, including the loss of the centuries-old Gounsa Temple, home to a revered Buddha statue, in Uiseong County.
Destruction of Gounsa Temple and Emergency Response to Protect Buddhist Heritage
Gounsa Temple, a 1,300-year-old Buddhist landmark and a significant cultural heritage site, was among the casualties of the wildfire. Most of its historic buildings were reduced to ashes, leaving only the ceremonial bell partially intact. The temple housed a sacred Buddha statue that was central to the spiritual practice of many Buddhists. Fortunately, some invaluable artifacts, including a state-designated seated stone Buddha statue, were relocated to other temples ahead of the advancing flames, preserving an essential part of Korea’s Buddhist heritage.
Authorities swiftly declared a state of emergency for affected regions, including Ulsan and North and South Gyeongsang provinces. Over 10,000 firefighters, police, and emergency personnel have been deployed to combat the raging fires, which have scorched nearly 43,000 acres of land. Strong winds and dry air have made containment efforts challenging, though officials report that as of Wednesday, approximately 68% of the fires in Uiseong and Andong have been controlled.
The fires have also threatened other historic sites, including the UNESCO-listed Hahoe Folk Village in Andong. Residents were ordered to evacuate as firefighters created protective water barriers around the traditional hanok homes to prevent damage.
Han Duck-soo, South Korea’s prime minister and acting president, described these wildfires as the worst the country has seen in recent years, causing "unprecedented damage." The Korea Forest Service has issued its highest-level wildfire warning and urged local governments to allocate more resources for emergency response.
As wildfires continue to burn in various locations, authorities remain hopeful that forecasted rainfall on Thursday will help suppress the remaining flames. However, officials have issued dry weather alerts for the affected areas, warning that the risk of further fires remains high.
Wildfires are not uncommon in South Korea, particularly during the dry months of February to April. However, this year has seen an alarming increase, with 244 reported wildfires—more than double the number recorded in the same period last year.
As emergency responders continue their efforts, authorities are urging residents to exercise extreme caution and cooperate with fire prevention measures to prevent future tragedies.
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