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Bahrain News Gazette
31-03-2025
- Bahrain News Gazette
Main Blaze in Massive Wildfire Contained in South Korea After Nearly 10 Days
Manama: A massive wildfire that began in Sancheong County and swept through nearby regions in South Gyeongsang Province has been fully contained, authorities said Sunday. The main fires were under control as of 1 p.m. Sunday, nearly 10 days after they first broke out March 21, according to forestry officials. According to Bahrain News Agency, the wildfire has scorched an estimated 1,858 hectares of woodland, equivalent to around 2,600 football fields, the South Korean News Agency (Yonhap) reported. At least 30 people have died from the recent wave of nationwide wildfires, including 26 reported in North Gyeongsang Province. The military deployed 600 soldiers and 49 helicopters Sunday to help completely extinguish the remaining embers and provide medical and other assistance. Meanwhile, police authorities said they have booked a man suspected of starting the massive wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province. The 56-year-old man is accused of causing the fire at around 11:25 a.m. on March 22 while performing an ancestral rite at a family grave on a hill in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province. The fire then spread rapidly to nearby Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang and Yeongdeok for days due to gusty winds amid dry conditions. The wildfires also destroyed an estimated 4,000 structures, including Goun Temple — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — along with homes, factories and other facilities. The suspect has denied the allegations against him, according to police. The Korea Forest Service earlier announced the wildfires in North Gyeongsang Province had been fully brought under control as of 5 p.m. Friday before they reignited overnight Saturday. About 48,000 hectares of woodland, equivalent to some 80 percent of the size of Seoul, have been scorched in the worst wildfire disaster ever in South Korea, according to the forestry agency. The fire that started in Sancheong County and spread to Mount Jiri National Park was mostly contained as of Sunday, with authorities battling to put out the remaining fire, which is 200 meters long, on the outskirts of the park. Authorities deployed 50 helicopters, 1,473 personnel and 213 vehicles, starting at dawn, to extinguish the blaze, which was 99% contained as of 8 a.m. Police plan to conduct a joint investigation as early as next week in coordination with the National Institute of Forest Science, the National Forensic Service and the fire authorities.
Al Bawaba
16-02-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
South Korea, US committed to denuclearization of North Korea
Seoul, February 16 (QNA) - South Korea's foreign ministry said on Sunday that South Korea Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his US counterpart Marco Rubio agreed in bilateral talks in Munich, Germany, to strengthen close cooperation on issues related to North Korea under the administration of US President Donald Trump. The ministry said in a statement carried by South Korean News Agency (Yonhap) that "the two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea, and agreed to closely cooperate in the formulation and implementation of North Korea policies in the future." "They also shared concerns over military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, and agreed to continue the monitoring of the situation," Yonhap added. The statement added that the two ministers also discussed economic issues, with the South Korean foreign minister calling for mutually beneficial solutions regarding customs duties and expressing his country's commitment to resolving these issues through close bilateral consultations with the US. In return, the US Secretary of State expressed his country's readiness to enhance cooperation with Seoul in sectors such as shipbuilding and energy. The talks, which took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, were the first between the two ministers since Rubio took office in January. For his part, Rubio affirmed the US commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea, affirming Seoul's role as a strategic ally of the US in the region. Later, Cho and Rubio held a trilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, where they affirmed their firm commitment to the denuclearization of North Korea, issued a stern warning against any provocations by North Korea, and stressed the continuation of pressure on it through strengthening international sanctions. Regarding economic cooperation, emphasis was placed on the need to strengthen economic relations between the three countries, including increasing US liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to South Korea. The meeting comes at a sensitive time as South Korea works to ensure stability in its relations with the Trump administration, especially in light of ongoing tensions over North Korean threats and international economic issues. (QNA)
