[Exclusive Footage] Wildfire in Uljin, Gyeongbuk Spreads to Samcheok, Gangwon... Damage Equivalent to 700 Soccer Fields

President Moon: "All-out effort for early containment of Uljin wildfire... Full measures for nuclear power plant safety"

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] A wildfire that broke out in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, rapidly spread to Samcheok, Gangwon, driven by strong winds. The Fire Agency issued the 'Nationwide Fire Mobilization Order No. 1.' Additionally, an emergency evacuation order was issued for about 3,900 residents.

According to the Central Wildfire Prevention Headquarters of the Korea Forest Service on the 4th, the wildfire started around 11:17 a.m. in Ducheon-ri, Buk-myeon, Uljin-gun.

Accordingly, according to Gyeongbuk Province and Uljin-gun, about 3,900 residents from 2,215 households in nine villages, including Ducheon-ri where the fire initially broke out, as well as Sangdang, Hadang, Sagye, and Sogok-ri, evacuated to village halls and elementary schools away from the wildfire site.

The wildfire in Uljin is rapidly spreading with strong winds, threatening the nearby Hanul Nuclear Power Plant. The distance from the initial ignition point to the nuclear power plant is about 11 km.

The fire authorities issued Response Level 1 at 11:52 a.m. and then the Fire Agency's Nationwide Fire Mobilization Order No. 1 around 1:50 p.m.

The Korea Forest Service and fire authorities declared 'Wildfire Level 3' and the national crisis alert for wildfire disaster as 'Severe,' mobilizing 43 helicopters and 717 firefighting personnel to conduct suppression efforts.

However, the Uljin area is currently under a dry weather warning, and strong winds with maximum instantaneous speeds exceeding 25 m/s are making firefighting efforts difficult.

The forestry authorities estimate the wildfire-affected area to be between 400 and 500 hectares, equivalent to about 560 to 700 soccer fields.

President Moon Jae-in instructed regarding the wildfire, "Prioritize preventing human casualties, mobilize all available resources to achieve early suppression, and ensure thorough safety measures for the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, also tweeted on the day, "A wildfire broke out in Uljin, and an evacuation order and the 'Severe' stage of the national wildfire disaster crisis alert have been issued. Please suppress the fire quickly to minimize damage, and especially ensure the safety of residents and firefighters."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate, wrote on Facebook, "It has not been long since large wildfires occurred in Hapcheon, Gyeongnam, and Goryeong, Gyeongbuk. I pray for the safety of the residents in the affected areas and the many public officials, including the Fire Agency, forestry authorities, police, and local governments, who are fighting the fire."

He added, "The government should mobilize national capabilities to the fullest to protect the lives and property of residents in the affected areas and defend the nearby nuclear power plant. Please carefully check if there are any stranded persons in remote mountainous areas and confirm that no one has been left behind during evacuations in surrounding residential areas."

Furthermore, he expressed deep sympathy for residents who were greatly startled by the emergency evacuation and sincerely hoped for early suppression and that no casualties occur during the firefighting process.