Rode Snowmobile and Gondola to Turn Off the Fire... 'Photo Spot' Sangjeru Reduced to Ashes

Sangjeru (上帝樓), a Korean-style architectural structure symbolizing Seolcheonbong Peak (1,520m above sea level) of Deogyusan Mountain in Muju and a popular 'photo spot,' was reduced to ashes by a fire in the middle of the night.

At 12:23 AM on the 2nd, a fire broke out at the Sangjeru Shelter on Deogyusan Mountain in Muju-gun, Jeonbuk, and the fire department is extinguishing it. The Sangjeru Shelter, built as a wooden structure in the style of a traditional Korean house, also housed a shop selling hiking gear and souvenirs. Photo by Yonhap News

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On the 2nd, the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Fire Headquarters reported that a fire broke out around 12:23 a.m. at the Sangjeru rest area located on Deogyusan Mountain in Seolcheon-myeon, Muju-gun. Due to the high altitude of the fire site, the fire authorities barely managed to reach the snow-covered scene by riding a gondola and snowmobile. It was also difficult to deploy firefighting equipment, so artificial snow machines were used. The fire department deployed about 40 personnel and 14 pieces of equipment and was able to extinguish the fire around 2:14 a.m., after about 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Fortunately, there were no casualties due to the late hour, but Sangjeru, a famous spot at the top of the snowy mountain, was completely burned down, leaving only the framework. From 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that day, the fire authorities, the Jeonbuk Police Agency Scientific Investigation Unit, and the Korea Electrical Safety Corporation conducted a joint inspection. Investigating the cause of the fire with all possibilities open, no evidence suggesting arson has been found so far. However, it is currently estimated that the fire was most likely caused by an electrical factor.

Sangjeru, a three-story Korean-style wooden building, was constructed in 1997 ahead of the Winter Universiade held at Muju Resort. Deogyusan, located at the end of the Baekdudaegan mountain range, is called the 'Mother Mountain,' and it is said that this pavilion was built to achieve harmony between yin and yang. Inside Sangjeru, there were stores selling hiking gear and souvenirs, as well as rest areas for climbers.

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