Farmer dies while allegedly burning waste in S. Korea, as practice persists despite wildfire risks
Despite being illegal, the burning of waste by residents in South Korea's agricultural areas remains a persistent problem. PHOTO: AFP
Farmer dies while allegedly burning waste in S. Korea, as practice persists despite wildfire risks
SEOUL - A farmer in his 60s was found dead at the scene of a fire in South Korea's South Chungcheong Province on June 1 , with authorities suspecting he started the blaze himself to dispose of agricultural waste.
Officials at the Nonsan Fire Station received a report of a fire at a farm in the provincial city of Nonsan at around 2.35pm (1.35pm, Singapore time) on June 1 , which they fully extinguished at around 3.05pm.
Rescue authorities found the victim at the scene near a greenhouse, having apparently suffered cardiac arrest due to smoke inhalation.
The fire caused around 300,000 won (S$280) in damage.
Officials said the victim appears to have inhaled smoke while burning farm waste, including plastic.
The burning of waste by residents in agricultural areas remains a persistent problem, despite it being illegal.
It was the main cause of one of Korea's largest-ever wildfires, which ravaged the southeastern region in March.
Among the wildfires, which killed and injured dozens, a blaze in Angye-myeon, in Uiseong-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, is thought to have been started by a farmer burning waste from his orchard.
That suspect, in his 60s, is currently facing criminal charges for starting the wildfires, along with another suspect in his 50s who allegedly ignited a fire in neighboring Anpyeong-myeon while tending the grave of his grandparents.
The two suspects are charged with violating the Forest Protection Act, and would likely be subject to a compensation lawsuit if convicted.
But even when burning waste does not lead to a wildfire, it's still against the law.
Starting a fire near a forest is punishable by an administrative fine of up to 300,000 won, and unlawful disposal of waste is subject to a fine of up to 1 million won. In addition to the risk of fire, burning substances like plastic releases fumes that are harmful to humans and the environment.
Despite this, waste burning remains a widespread practice in the country, with offenders often facing minimal or no punishment.
Yonhap News Agency reported that there were 310 cases in the Gyeongsang provinces of residents illegally burning agricultural waste from December 2024 to March. All of the offenders were let go with a warning and no fine. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
38 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Musk deletes post claiming Trump ‘in the Epstein files'
US President Donald Trump (left) and Elon Musk speak in the Oval Office before departing the White House in Washington, DC, on March 14, 2025. PHOTO: AFP - Tech billionaire Elon Musk has deleted an explosive allegation linking Mr Donald Trump with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein that he posted on social media during a vicious public fallout with the US President this week. Mr Musk – who exited his role as a top White House advisor just last week – alleged on June 5 that the Republican leader is featured in secret government files on former associates of Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while he faced sex trafficking charges. The Trump administration has acknowledged it is reviewing tens of thousands of documents, videos and investigative material that his 'MAGA' movement says will unmask public figures complicit in Epstein's crimes. 'Time to drop the really big bomb: (Trump) is in the Epstein files,' Mr Musk posted on his social media platform, X as his growing feud with the president boiled over into a spectacularly public row on June 5. 'That is the real reason they have not been made public.' Mr Musk did not reveal which files he was talking about, and offered no evidence for his claim. He initially doubled down on the claim, writing in a follow-up message: 'Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.' However, he appeared to have deleted both tweets by the morning of June 7. Supporters on the conspiratorial end of Mr Trump's 'Make America Great Again' base allege that Epstein's associates had their roles in his crimes covered up by government officials and others. They point the finger at Democrats and Hollywood celebrities, although not at Mr Trump himself. No official source has ever confirmed that the president appears in any of the material. Mr Trump knew and socialised with Epstein but has denied spending time on Little Saint James, the private redoubt in the US Virgin Islands where prosecutors alleged Epstein trafficked underage girls for sex. 'Terrific guy,' Mr Trump, who was Epstein's neighbour in both Florida and New York, said in an early 2000s profile of the financier. 'He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.' Just last week Mr Trump gave Mr Musk a glowing send-off as he left his cost-cutting role at the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). But their relationship imploded within days as Mr Musk described as an 'abomination' a spending bill that, if passed by Congress, could define Mr Trump's second term in office. Mr Trump hit back in an Oval Office diatribe, and from there the row detonated, leaving Washington and riveted social media users alike stunned by the blistering break-up between the world's richest person and the world's most powerful. With real political and economic risks to their row, both then appeared to inch back from the brink on June 6, but the White House denied reports they would talk. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Animal cruelty: Florida fisherman charged for stabbing shark multiple times
Charter fisherman Zane P. Garrett, 26, was arrested on June 5 and charged with animal cruelty. PHOTO: MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE MIAMI – A charter fisherman in Florida was charged with animal cruelty after a video showed him stabbing a shark multiple times. The fisherman, Zane P. Garrett, 26, of Stock Island in the Florida Keys, was arrested by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on June 5 and charged with the felony count. Law enforcement officials received tips on May 23 about a man 'repeatedly stabbing a shark on a fishing line before cutting the line and releasing the animal', the agency said in a statement. It was unclear if the shark survived. A video, which has since been widely circulated, shows a man stabbing the shark with a knife and includes a caption that reads 'bud broke my rod'. Conservation agents located Garrett's boat in Key West and identified him as the charter captain on the day of the attack. He later admitted to the stabbing. It was not immediately clear what potential penalties Garrett might face. 'The careless cruelty displayed in this video is unacceptable,' said Major Alberto Maza, the South B regional commander of the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 'I'm proud of the public for reporting this senseless act and our officers' work in identifying the subject and holding him accountable.' According to WPLG Local 10 in Miami, an arrest warrant stated that Garrett attacked the shark because it had stolen his fish. Garrett declined to comment when reached by phone on June 6. According to his website, Garrett operates Second Nature Charters in Key West, with prices starting at US$900 (S$1,160) for four hours of tarpon fishing. The charter boat is an 11m Torres sport fishing vessel that can accommodate up to six passengers. 'With Captain Zane at the helm, every fishing excursion becomes an unforgettable journey filled with camaraderie, laughter and, most importantly, epic catches that will be cherished for a lifetime,' according to the site. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said sharks have been known to take fish off a line or bite boat motors, 'an unfortunate side effect of healthy and sustainable shark populations'. A screen grab shows a charter fisherman stabbing a shark. PHOTO: WPLG LOCAL 10 The commission's advice: Move to another area away from shark activity. In May, another Florida charter fisherman was sentenced to 30 days for shooting and poisoning dolphins from his boat, including doing so once in front of two school-aged children. The captain was frustrated with the dolphins for stealing his catch, investigators said at the time. NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Three killed in Russian attack on Ukraine's Kharkiv; Ukrainian drones injure two near Moscow
Residents walk in front of an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Vitalii Hnidyi Rescuers assist an injured resident after she was released from debris of a building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova Servicemen of the unmanned aircraft systems unit 'Fenix' of the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service prepare a Vampire heavy combat drone before its flight over positions of Russian troops, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the frontline town of Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, Ukraine June 6, 2025. REUTERS/Anatolii Stepanov Firefighters work at the site of a building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Sofiia Gatilova TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Firefighters work inside an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine June 7, 2025. REUTERS/Vitalii Hnidyi Three killed in Russian attack on Ukraine's Kharkiv; Ukrainian drones injure two near Moscow LONDON - Overnight missile and bomb strikes by Russia on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv left three people dead and 22 hurt, while a Ukrainian drone attack in the Moscow region wounded two people, officials from both countries said separately on Saturday. Russian forces used high-precision long-range weapons and drones to hit designated military targets in Ukraine overnight, hitting all of them, according to Russia's Defence Ministry. Separately, Ukraine has indefinitely postponed accepting the bodies of its killed soldiers and the exchange of prisoners of war, Kremlin aide Vladimir Medinsky said. This was counter to an agreement between the two countries at a second round of peace talks in Istanbul on Monday, where they said they would swap more prisoners and return the bodies of 12,000 dead soldiers. The northeastern city of Kharkiv, one of Ukraine's largest, is just a few dozen kilometres (miles) from the Russian border and has been under frequent Russian shelling during more than three years of war triggered by Russia's full-scale invasion. "Kharkiv is currently experiencing the most powerful attack since the start of the full-scale war," Mayor Ihor Terekhov said in a post on Telegram earlier on Saturday. Residential buildings, educational and infrastructure facilities were attacked, he said, and photos showed buildings burnt and reduced partially to rubble, as rescuers carried the wounded away for treatment. Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said there could still be people buried under the rubble after one civilian industrial facility was hit by 40 drones and several bombs. In the Moscow region, two people were injured after a drone attack by Ukraine overnight and on Friday, Governor Andrei Vorobyov said on Telegram, with nine drones shot down. Russia's aviation watchdog said operations had resumed at the Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Zhukovsky airports in the Moscow region after being suspended temporarily for flight safety reasons. The Defence Ministry said that since midnight, air defence units had intercepted and destroyed 36 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory, including the Moscow region. Ukraine's air forces also shot down a Russian Su-35 fighter jet on Saturday morning, its military said without providing further details. Russian forces have not yet commented on the matter while Reuters could not independently verify the report. A Ukrainian drone attack deep inside Russian territory last weekend likely damaged around 10% of Russia's strategic bomber fleet and hit some of the aircraft as they were being prepared for strikes on Ukraine, a senior German military official said in a YouTube podcast set for broadcast later on Saturday. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
