As wildfires rapidly spread to areas near Unesco-designated world heritage sites in Andong, North Gyeongsang, the Korea Heritage Service raised its disaster alert level to the highest tier, “severe,” on Tuesday evening and deployed emergency teams to the historical sites throughout the night to save the country’s treasured items.

Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 26 Mar 2025


As wildfires rapidly spread to areas near Unesco-designated world heritage sites in Andong, North Gyeongsang, the Korea Heritage Service raised its disaster alert level to the highest tier, “severe,” on Tuesday evening and deployed emergency teams to the historical sites throughout the night to save the country’s treasured items.
The wooden signboard of the neo-Confucian academy Byeongsan Seowon, a Unesco World Heritage designated site, along with other important items, were relocated to the World Confucian Culture Museum, about 54 kilometers away from the historic site.
At another Unesco World Heritage-designated site, Hahoe Folk Village, about 4 kilometers away from the Confucian academy, the Korea Heritage Service said 10 firetrucks and 54 firefighters have been dispatched, surrounding the village and conducting preventive measures.
As of 1 a.m. Wednesday, the wildfire had damaged eight heritage assets: two national treasures, one scenic site, one natural monument, and four city or province-designated heritage sites.
More from Korea Joongang Daily
Live
|
|






Supplier Showcase 2025: The biggest attractions projects landing worldwide this year
|