The wildfires that have occurred across the country since 21st are presumed to have started due to the mistakes of hikers. Although a detailed investigation conducted by the police has not yet been released, if the cause of the wildfire is identified as arson, those responsible could face up to three years in prison under the Forest Protection Act.
According to the firefighting authorities and police on 24th, four people have died and nine have been injured due to the wildfire that has been ongoing for four days, with over 1,500 residents evacuated. So far, 8,732 hectares of forest have burned, equivalent to the size of 12,230 soccer fields.
The wildfire in Sancheong County, Gyeongnam Province, began around 3:26 p.m. on 21st in a nearby mountain in Sichun-myeon. It is presumed to have been caused by sparks during weed removal work using a brush cutter by an individual, identified as A, at a nearby farm. A colleague who was working with A reportedly saw the fire spreading and called 119 to report it. This fire resulted in the deaths of four members of the wildfire suppression team and public officials from Changnyeong County, while six others were seriously injured. The current extinguishing rate of the ongoing wildfire in Sancheong County is 71%.
The wildfire that occurred in Uiseong County, Gyeongbuk Province, on 22nd was also caused by the negligence of a memorial visitor. The firefighting authorities received a report around 11:25 a.m. that 'a fire broke out while cleaning a grave at the summit of a mountain in Anpyeong-myeon.' The police have reportedly confirmed the basic facts with the memorial visitor. The affected area of the wildfire has been assessed to be 6,861 hectares so far, with the overall extinguishing rate for the Uiseong wildfire currently at 65%. Uiseong County has announced plans to investigate the memorial visitor after the wildfire is extinguished and consider filing charges according to the relevant laws.
The wildfire that broke out in Onyang-eup, Uljin County at around 12:12 p.m. on 22nd was also caused during welding work at a nearby farm. Uljin County has stated that a 60-year-old male, identified as B, has been booked on suspicion of violating the Forest Protection Act. It is reported that Uljin County special judicial police met B at the scene after the wildfire broke out and heard a statement that 'sparks flew while welding, igniting nearby farmland and causing the wildfire.' Uljin County plans to summon B for a detailed investigation regarding the cause of the wildfire after it has been fully extinguished and forward the case to the prosecution. The affected area of the wildfire has been assessed at 278 hectares so far, with the current extinguishing rate at 69%. A total of 867 residents from six nearby villages (Yangdal, Singi, Junggwang, Naegwang, Oegwang, and Guji) have been evacuated.
According to Article 53 of the Forest Protection Act, those who burn another person's forest or their own forest due to negligence, thereby putting the public at risk, may be subject to imprisonment of up to three years or fines of up to 30 million won. Not only those who intentionally set forest fires but also those who accidentally burn forests are subject to punishment. The penalties for forest arson are heavier than those for common arson. The offenders who intentionally set a forest fire may face imprisonment of a maximum of more than seven years and up to 15 years. Former judge and attorney Moon Yoo-jin noted, 'When a fire breaks out in the mountains, the loss of life and property tends to be substantial compared to negligence.'
In fact, those who have caused wildfires in the past have been sentenced to prison terms. In April 2022, an individual identified as C set a wildfire in Yanggu, Gangwon Province, burning 720 hectares of forest and received a sentence of 10 months in prison with a two-year probation. In April 2016, an individual identified as D, who accidentally started a wildfire while burning trash in Suanbo-myeon, Chungju, was sentenced to 10 months in prison and ordered to pay compensation of 8,089,000 won. This fire burned a total of 53.8 hectares of forest. In March 2017, a wildfire in Okgye-myeon, Gangneung, was also found to have started due to the negligence of two residents. They were each sentenced to six months and one year in prison, with a two-year probation in the first trial.
According to the Korea Forest Service, an average of 546 wildfires occur annually, with spring (March to May) accounting for 303 of those incidents, representing 56%. The causes of wildfires include arson by hikers at 171 incidents (31%), garbage burning at 68 incidents (13%), and burning of field edges at 60 incidents (11%).
Attorney Moon noted, 'Even if it is an accident, if a wildfire is caused, one may incur criminal penalties as well as civil liability for damages.' It is stated in the Forest Protection Act that individuals are not allowed to enter the mountains with flammable, igniting, or combustion materials, and those who violate this and cause a wildfire, even if accidental, will face penalties.