Historic House and Thuja Forest Burned in Unquenchable Flames

Fifteen Cases of Damage Confirmed by the Afternoon of the 26th

As wildfires continue unabated in Gyeongbuk's Uiseong, Andong, and Cheongsong, damage to national heritage sites is rapidly increasing. According to the Cultural Heritage Administration on the 26th, as of 5 p.m. that day, the identified damage cases include eleven nationally designated heritage sites and four provincially designated heritage sites. By type, there are three scenic sites, three natural monuments, three national folk cultural heritages, and two treasures. Additionally, two cultural heritage materials, one intangible cultural heritage, and one monument were also damaged.

The area around Baegunjeong and Gaeho Pine Forest in Andong affected by the wildfire

Seven damage cases were revealed through firefighting efforts that day. Parts of Cheongsong Songsso Gotaek and Seobyeok Gotaek, both national folk cultural heritages, were burned, and Sanam Gotaek was completely destroyed by the flames. The natural monument 'Andong Guri Thuja Forest,' one of Korea's most notable native thuja habitats, lost 0.1 hectares. Damage also occurred in the scenic site designated as 'Andong Baegunjeong and Gaeho Pine Forest Area.'

In response to the ongoing wildfires, the Cultural Heritage Administration deployed about 750 personnel on site and installed fire-retardant sheets on major cultural heritage sites, including the National Treasure Andong Bongjeongsa Geungnakjeon, considered the oldest wooden building in Korea. An official stated, "To protect national heritage from wildfire risks, we are taking emergency measures such as preventive water spraying and installing fire-retardant sheets."