Latest news with #ForestProtectionAct
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
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.
Korea Herald
5 days ago
- Korea Herald
Farmer dies while allegedly burning waste, as practice persists despite wildfire risks
A farmer in his 60s was found dead at the scene of a fire in South Chungcheong Province on Sunday, 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 2:35 p.m. on Sunday, which they fully extinguished at around 3:05 p.m. 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 ($217) in damage. Officials said the victim appears to have inhaled smoke while burning farm waste, including plastic. Burning farming waste is illegal — and dangerous 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.
Korea Herald
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Korea Herald
Confused command leaves South Korea unprepared as wildfires spread out of control: report
From 2010-2020, average area scorched by wildfires in South Korea grew 7.8 times bigger, large-scale fires more than tripled As South Korea recovers from its worst wildfire disaster on record, a National Assembly report warns that a fragmented and confusing command structure left firefighting efforts slow and disorganized. In March more than 20 wildfires broke out across the peninsula's southeastern Gyeongsang provinces, fueled by strong winds and dry weather. The fires burned over 104,000 hectares of forest, killed 31 people, and damaged nearly 8,000 homes and facilities. Also affected were 33 cultural heritage sites, including centuries-old temples. It was the most destructive wildfire event in South Korea's history. A report from the National Assembly Research Service published earlier this month points to a key vulnerability in the country's disaster command structure. Under current law, responsibility for wildfire response shifts depending on the size and spread of the fire. The Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety designates the national Korea Forest Service as the lead agency. But the Forest Protection Act assigns command to local mayors or governors, depending on the fire's size and location. This dual system creates delays and confusion, particularly in the early stages of a wildfire when quick decisions are critical. In the southeastern Uiseong and Yeongdeok regions, emergency orders were reportedly inconsistent, and firefighting efforts were slowed by coordination problems between local officials, the KFS and the National Fire Agency. Wildfires are currently managed through a 13-level response system based on area burned, wind speed and duration. In the initial stages, local authorities can only deploy 50 personnel and limited equipment according to the current law. They must wait for the situation to escalate before receiving outside reinforcement, an approach the report pinpoints as ineffective in fast-moving scenarios. Yoo Jae-beom, the legislative researcher behind the report specializing in the forestry sector, recommends simplifying this system to two or three tiers and transferring early-stage command to either the forest authority, fire response authority or provincial governments. He also supports establishing joint regional wildfire command centers to ensure faster coordination across agencies. Other data cited in the report suggest damage has been growing even before the March wildfires. The average area burned by wildfires in 2020 increased 7.8 times compared to 2010. The number of large-scale wildfires, which are defined as fires damaging over 1 million square meters, has more than tripled (3.7 times). The report also raises concerns over weak enforcement of fire prevention laws. Between 2019 and 2023, fewer than 20 percent of individuals apprehended for starting wildfires, whether through arson or negligence, received jail time or fines. The average fine issued in 2023 was just 2.8 million won (about $2,000). "The fire season now begins in winter, spreads faster in spring and burns more land than ever before," said the research. "Unless we align laws, restructure response systems and invest in fire-resilient forests, the scale of disaster will only grow." mjh@
Korea Herald
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Korea Herald
Confused command leaves South Korea unprepared as wildfires spread out of control: report
From 2010-2020, average area scorched by wildfires in South Korea grew 7.8 times bigger, large-scale fires more than tripled As South Korea recovers from its worst wildfire disaster on record, a National Assembly report warns that a fragmented and confusing command structure left firefighting efforts slow and disorganized. In March more than 20 wildfires broke out across the peninsula's southeastern Gyeongsang provinces, fueled by strong winds and dry weather. The fires burned over 104,000 hectares of forest, killed 31 people, and damaged nearly 8,000 homes and facilities. Also affected were 33 cultural heritage sites, including centuries-old temples. It was the most destructive wildfire event in South Korea's history. A report from the National Assembly Research Service published earlier this month points to a key vulnerability in the country's disaster command structure. Under current law, responsibility for wildfire response shifts depending on the size and spread of the fire. The Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on the Management of Disasters and Safety designates the national Korea Forest Service as the lead agency. But the Forest Protection Act assigns command to local mayors or governors, depending on the fire's size and location. This dual system creates delays and confusion, particularly in the early stages of a wildfire when quick decisions are critical. In the southeastern Uiseong and Yeongdeok regions, emergency orders were reportedly inconsistent, and firefighting efforts were slowed by coordination problems between local officials, the KFS and the National Fire Agency. Wildfires are currently managed through a 13-level response system based on area burned, wind speed and duration. In the initial stages, local authorities can only deploy 50 personnel and limited equipment according to the current law. They must wait for the situation to escalate before receiving outside reinforcement, an approach the report pinpoints as ineffective in fast-moving scenarios. Yoo Jae-beom, the legislative researcher behind the report specializing in the forestry sector, recommends simplifying this system to two or three tiers and transferring early-stage command to either the forest authority, fire response authority or provincial governments. He also supports establishing joint regional wildfire command centers to ensure faster coordination across agencies. Other data cited in the report suggest damage has been growing even before the March wildfires. The average area burned by wildfires in 2020 increased 7.8 times compared to 2010. The number of large-scale wildfires, which are defined as fires damaging over 1 million square meters, has more than tripled (3.7 times). The report also raises concerns over weak enforcement of fire prevention laws. Between 2019 and 2023, fewer than 20 percent of individuals apprehended for starting wildfires, whether through arson or negligence, received jail time or fines. The average fine issued in 2023 was just 2.8 million won (about $2,000). "The fire season now begins in winter, spreads faster in spring and burns more land than ever before," said the research. "Unless we align laws, restructure response systems and invest in fire-resilient forests, the scale of disaster will only grow."
Korea Herald
31-03-2025
- Korea Herald
Investigating origin of Uiseong wildfire
Firefighting authorities and the National Forensic Service conduct a joint investigation at the suspected origin of the wildfire in Goesan-ri, Uiseong-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, on Monday. A fire that broke out around 11:25 a.m. on March 22 there, is believed to have started what became South Korea's worst wildfires in history, claiming 30 lives. On Sunday, the police booked a suspect for violating the Forest Protection Act for allegedly accidentally starting the fire while tending to a relative's grave. Earlier, they found a lighter near the burial mound. The police plan to conduct a face-to-face interrogation with the suspect once they gather further details from the investigation, including the results of a forensic analysis. (Photo by Yonhap)
