South Korea Wildfires Kill 24, Force 27,000 Evacuations

South Korea is facing its worst wildfire outbreak in history, with at least 24 confirmed deaths and approximately 27,000 residents evacuated as of March 26. The wildfires, fueled by strong winds and dry weather, have devastated over 42,991 acres, particularly impacting Uiseong county, which has seen 87% of the destruction. Among the casualties are local residents, firefighters, and a helicopter pilot who died in a crash during firefighting efforts. The crisis alert has been raised to its highest level as authorities struggle to contain the flames, which are threatening UNESCO-listed sites. Acting President Han Duck-soo emphasized the unprecedented damage and the need for urgent firefighting efforts, which have been hampered by challenging weather conditions. Experts warn that climate change is exacerbating the severity and frequency of such wildfires in South Korea.