Unprecedented Wildfires Rage in South Korea

Wildfires sweeping across South Korea have killed 24 people, forced thousands to evacuate, and consumed over 40,000 acres of land, beginning in Uiseong on March 21.

The wildfires have caused “unprecedented damage,” said Han Duck-soo, South Korea’s prime minister and acting president.

• Firefighters, civilians, government officials and a helicopter pilot are among those killed.
• More than 200 structures have been destroyed by the blazes.
• South Korea’s Ministry of the Interior has reported the largest fires are in the Andong, Uiseong and Sancheong regions.

Destructive trend: These devastating wildfires come at the same time as the fires in North and South Carolina, just weeks after fires hit Oklahoma, and months after the infernos in Los Angeles.

Why disasters? In his article “Seeing God in the Fire,” Andrew Miiller wrote:

Natural disasters are not random accidents. God knows every sparrow that dies (Matthew 10:29-31). He is well aware of exactly how fires, storms and other massive disasters affect every human victim. He allows these things to happen for a reason. He wants victims to stop and think about what this reason could be. He wants our attention; He wants us to overcome our sins; He wants us to rely more on Him for our every need.

To understand, order our free booklet Why ‘Natural’ Disasters?