Adventist Families Among Thousands Affected by South Korea’s Largest Wildfire

A series of simultaneous wildfires swept across South Korea’s Gyeongsang region from March 21 to 31, 2025, marking the most destructive wildfire event in the nation’s history.

The fires, which burned for ten consecutive days, scorched an estimated 48,000 hectares, claimed 30 lives, injured 75 individuals, and destroyed nearly 3,000 homes. According to government reports, the damage extended to more than 2,000 agricultural facilities and 30 national heritage sites.

Among those affected were 26 Seventh-day Adventist households from eight local churches in the Southeast Korea Conference (SEKC). The fires destroyed 19 Adventist homes and 12 storage buildings. Eighteen pieces of farming equipment, including tractors and cultivators, were rendered unusable. Approximately 17,500 square meters of farmland—once used to grow apples, peaches, and other crops—were reduced to ash. In total, about 140 fruit and ornamental trees were destroyed, and two livestock sheds were severely damaged. No casualties among Adventist members were reported.

The SEKC Health Department released an official damage assessment report on March 31, noting that the full extent of losses remains uncertain as new information continues to emerge.

“The affected area is so vast and the damage so severe that we can’t yet predict how many resources and how much relief work will be needed,” stated SEKC officials. “We sincerely urge churches and members to pray and lend a helping hand so that those who have lost their homes and livelihoods can return to normal life as soon as possible.”

Jang DaeGi, director of the SEKC Health Department, called for nationwide support from the Adventist community.

“With the help of Sahmyook Foods, we’re donating 15 tons of soy milk to local government offices on behalf of the affected Adventist churches to support wildfire victims, firefighters, and volunteers,” he said. “We’re also planning to launch joint volunteer efforts in each affected region in partnership with the Women’s Association.”

As firefighters extinguish the final traces of the blaze and officials continue to assess long-term recovery needs, the Adventist Church in South Korea is mobilizing compassion-driven relief efforts to serve both church members and the broader community affected by this unprecedented disaster.

The original article was published on the Northern Asia-Pacific Division news site.