Prosecutors Seek Three-Year Prison Terms for Two Defendants in 'Worst-Ever Gyeongbuk Wildfire' Case

Wildfires Broke Out at Two Sites in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang in March
Defendants Admit All Charges

In March of this year, a wildfire in Uiseong, North Gyeongsang Province, burned 99,289 hectares of forest. Prosecutors have requested a three-year prison sentence for each of the defendants indicted for causing the "Gyeongbuk Wildfire."

According to Yonhap News Agency on November 6, at the sentencing hearing held on this day at the Uiseong Branch of the Daegu District Court, presided over by Judge Moon Hyuk, prosecutors requested the court to impose the maximum sentence under the Forest Protection Act-three years in prison-on orchard tenant Mr. Jeong (62) and visitor Mr. Shin (54).

Mr. Jeong is accused of violating the Forest Protection Act by burning agricultural waste in an orchard in Yonggi-ri, Angye-myeon, Uiseong County on March 22, which escalated into a massive wildfire. Mr. Shin was also brought to trial on charges of causing a large-scale wildfire by setting fire to saplings growing on his grandparents’ grave in a hillside in Goesan-ri, Anpyeong-myeon, Uiseong County on the same day.

On March 25, a firefighter was moving to extinguish a fire in Hahwa 1-ri, Danchon-myeon, Uiseong-gun, Gyeongbuk Province. Photo by Yonhap News

Prosecutors stated, "On March 22 at approximately 11:44 a.m., defendant Jeong incinerated plastic, boxes, cans, and other waste near a yellow water tank installed in the orchard," adding, "The spring season, when wildfires frequently occur due to dry weather, is a designated wildfire prevention period, and government agencies had been continuously promoting wildfire prevention through methods such as strong wind and disaster alert text messages." They continued, "Even if waste was incinerated, there is a duty to ensure that the embers are fully extinguished, but Mr. Jeong left the site around noon without properly checking, and a wildfire broke out. The wildfire spread due to strong winds, burning 29,000 hectares of forest, and merged with another wildfire that was spreading in Anpyeong-myeon at the same time, eventually extending to Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok, destroying an additional 46,000 hectares of forest, with a total of approximately 76,000 hectares burned."

Regarding Mr. Shin, prosecutors said, "He used a turbo lighter to set fire to trees growing on his grandparents’ grave, resulting in the burning of about 23,000 hectares of forest," and "This wildfire merged with another wildfire that had started in Angye-myeon and was spreading, resulting in a total of approximately 69,000 hectares of forest destroyed."

Both defendants admitted to the charges and pleaded for leniency. In his final statement, Mr. Jeong said, "I poured water three times to extinguish the fire, and after thinking it was out, I returned to check again," adding, "I never imagined that a whirlwind would cause the fire to spread this much. I am deeply sorry for the casualties and damages caused to each region." Defendant Mr. Shin stated, "I am sorry for causing such great damage due to my carelessness. I ask for forgiveness," and added, "I will spend the rest of my life in reflection and atonement, serving others."

On March 22, wildfires broke out at two locations-Angye-myeon and Anpyeong-myeon-in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province. The fires, driven by strong winds, spread to four neighboring cities and counties, including Andong and Cheongsong, and were extinguished after 149 hours. The fires resulted in 57 casualties-26 deaths and 31 injuries-in five cities and counties in North Gyeongsang Province, including Uiseong, Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok. The affected area reached a record high of 99,289 hectares, and approximately 3,500 people were reported as disaster victims.

The sentencing hearing for the defendants is scheduled for January 16 of next year at 10 a.m.