Calls are growing to strengthen punishment for those responsible for wildfires.
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Korean netizens are feeling extra disappointed following the Daegu District Court’s sentencing of the two people responsible for the worst-ever wildfires that devastated the North Gyeongsang Province of Korea in 2025.
The wildfires burning through the Korean mountains in 2025. | BBC
On January 16, 2026 (KST), 55-year-old “Shin,” who was visiting their ancestor’s gravesite, and 63-year-old “Jung,” a local orchard owner/farmer, were tried at court for the charges of violating the Forest Protection Act.
Shin was sentenced to two years in prison for setting fire to young trees that had grown around their grandparents’ graves on a hillside in Uiseong County on March 22, 2025. Jung was sentenced to two years and six months in prison for burning agricultural waste at his orchard located in the same county.
“Jung” (right) leaving the trial | Yonhap
These fires were soon driven by strong winds and spread to four neighboring cities and counties of Andong, Cheongsong, Yeongyang, and Yeongdeok. Forestry authorities mobilized personnel and equipment from across the country and extinguished the main blaze after 149 hours.
As a result of the wildfires, 27 people were killed, and 40 were injured across five cities and counties. The affected area was estimated at 99,490 hectares, the largest on record, and 2,128 households (about 3,509 people) were displaced, many of whom are still living in temporary prefabricated container housing.
A map showing how the fire started by “Shin” spread. | The Korea Forest Service
The online outrage, though, stems from the fact that both Shin and Jung got their sentences suspended for three years. The ruling Judge Moon Hyuk noted that there is not enough evidence to link the loss of life to their actions.
The extent of forest damage caused by the wildfire was extremely serious. However, given the exceptionally dry weather at the time, the defendants could not have reasonably foreseen that the fire would combine with other wildfires. To link the loss of life to the defendants’ actions, a substantial causal relationship must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but the evidence submitted does not clearly establish this.
— Judge Moon Hyuk
While they were ordered to perform 120 hours of community service each, netizens called out the court for being too lenient.
| theqoo
- “So if someone sets Judge Moon’s houseon fire, they’d get a suspended sentence too, right?”
- “What?! So many people were affected…”
- “A suspended sentence LOL. Unbelievable.”
- “Didn’t this wildfire cause casualties?”
- [Deleted]
- “If people start committing arson or negligent fires after trusting this precedent, is the judge going to take responsibility?”
- “??????”
- “A suspended sentence? Are you serious?”
- “Maybe the judge let them roam free so the people can take revenge themselves…”
- “Seriously, everyone and anyone gets a suspended sentence.”
- “How did they possibly walk away with suspended sentences???”
- “What are the victims supposed to do? I honestly don’t understand why judges even exist.”
Meanwhile, in Uiseong, another wildfire broke out on January 10, 2026, forcing 281 residents to evacuate. This fire is also suspected to have been caused by the illegal burning of agricultural waste, prompting criticism that safety awareness remains lacking despite the experience of a mega-wildfire. Calls are growing to strengthen punishment for those responsible for wildfires.
Read more:
Korea’s Biggest Celebrities Donate Over 4 Billion KRW To Help Fight Korea’s Deadliest Wildfires In History
Source: Hankook Ilbo and theqoo