Uljin Wildfire Spreads to Samcheok... President Moon Says "Preventing Human Casualties is the Top Priority" (Comprehensive)

Soccer Field 560-700 Times Larger Area Reduced to Ashes
Ignition Site Adjacent to Hanul Nuclear Power Plant... Fire Authorities Fully Focused on Nuclear Plant Defense

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] The wildfire that broke out in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, is spreading to Samcheok, Gangwon due to strong winds. President Moon Jae-in has instructed that preventing human casualties be the top priority and that thorough safety measures be taken at the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant.

According to the forestry authorities on the 4th, the Uljin wildfire is currently spreading to Wolcheon-ri, Wondeok-eup, Samcheok City. Samcheok City has issued an evacuation order to 611 residents in three villages of Wondeok-eup. Due to the strong winds, the wildfire has spread rapidly, and it is reported that an area equivalent to 560 to 700 soccer fields has already turned to ashes.

Residents of Uljin, where the wildfire initially broke out, have also evacuated. Around 1:30 PM, Uljin County expanded evacuation guidance to a total of nine villages in Buk-myeon and Jukbyeon-myeon. Accordingly, about 3,900 residents from 2,215 households in nine villages including Ducheon-ri in Buk-myeon, Sang- and Hadang-ri, Sagye-ri, and Sogok-ri moved to community centers and elementary schools.

The wildfire started around 11:17 AM on the roadside of a mountain in Ducheon-ri, Buk-myeon, Uljin County, Gyeongbuk. As the fire spread to the mountain peak area, the Korea Forest Service issued a level 3 wildfire alert at 2:15 PM.

Furthermore, this wildfire occurred near the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant located on the coast, raising the alert level of firefighting authorities. Around 11:21 AM, the wildfire spread across National Route 7 and reached the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant, driven by strong winds. The fire extended inside the boundary of the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant. The straight-line distance from the initial ignition point to National Route 7 is 10 km, and from National Route 7 to the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant is only about 1 km. Firefighting authorities deployed 24 fire trucks, including high-performance chemical vehicles, to defend the nuclear plant and arranged firefighting helicopters to focus their efforts near the plant.

Meanwhile, after receiving a report on the wildfire situation, President Moon instructed, "Mobilize all available resources and devote full efforts to early containment." Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi stated, "President Moon has ordered that preventing human casualties be the top priority and that thorough safety measures be taken at the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant," adding, "He also emphasized paying special attention to the safety of firefighting personnel."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.