Wildfires in southeast S. Korea fully contained, leaving massive damage, casualties

Welcome to Within The Frame where we bring the most pressing issues around the globe into focus, I'm Kim Mok-yeon.

South Korea has been shaken by one of its most devastating wildfires on record — with more than 480 square kilometers of forest affected and the flames even breaching national parks last week.

Thankfully, the main fires had been largely contained, as better visibility and cooler temperatures helped extinguishing efforts.

The wildfires killed at least 30 people, injuring 45 and forcing some 3,600 people to flee.

From the rugged ridges of Juwangsan to the protected slopes of Jirisan , even areas known for their biodiversity and cultural heritage weren't spared.

In Part 1 of Within The Frame tonight, we invite Yoon Hong-geun of the Sobaeksan National Park Nature Center to talk about the scale of destruction, the challenges in containing fires inside protected areas, and what measures are needed to prevent future disasters. Welcome Mr. Yoon.

1. So Mr. Yoon, the recent wildfires affected an unprecedented forest area of approximately 480 square kilometers, the largest on record.

The fires even spread into some national parks. What is the current damage situation and scale within the national parks?

2. The spread of wildfires into national parks is concerning not only for the ecological damage but also for the destruction of cultural and historical heritage. In particular, the affected Jirisan and Juwangsan national parks. What significance do these parks hold?

3. Despite efforts by the National Park Service and local governments to prevent the fires from crossing into park boundaries, the flames eventually spread inside. What are the main challenges in containing the fires within the national parks?

4. Then while taking lessons from these recent wildfires, what kind of support do you think the government should provide in the future for wildfires and other disasters?

5. National parks implement various preventive measures against disasters like wildfires.

Especially in spring, there are trail closures in place to reduce fire risks. How effective have these measures been in preventing wildfires? And what does this imply?

Preventive measures are already in place — but their real-world effectiveness will now be key to prepare for future disasters of this kind.. Mr. Yoon, thank you so much for sharing your expertise with us tonight.

Wildfires are not only a challenge for South Korea.

From Japan to California, massive blazes are tearing through forests at alarming speeds, and experts are pointing to climate change, forest composition, and delayed response systems as key drivers.

In Part 2 of Within The Frame, we turn to David Bowman, wildfire expert and professor at the University of Tasmania, in Australia to break down why these fires are spreading faster, burning hotter, and becoming harder to stop.

Thank you for joining us Professor Bowman.

1. Recently, wildfires have been occurring not only in Korea but also in Japan and California. Professor, what is the cause of this global trend? Do you agree with some climate experts who believe global warming is a major factor?

2. According to firefighting authorities, the wildfire in Uiseong spread at a speed of 8.2 km per hour. For most of us who are unfamiliar, how fast is that? And what contributed to such a rapid spread?

3. Could the topography of Korea's steep mountains and the predominance of pine trees over hardwoods be contributing factors to the wildfires' rapid spread?

4. Though the main fire of this wildfire has been contained, concerns about the re-ignition of the fire remain high. What are the methods for extinguishing the remaining embers to completely put out the fire?

5. Some of the reasons cited for the wildfires' spread include a lack of centralized command, an aging firefighting workforce, and a shortage of helicopters and other firefighting equipment. How does Australia prepare for and respond to wildfires?

6. The latest wildfire not only caused forest damage but also led to injuries and deaths. What are the proper evacuation guidelines in the event of a wildfire?