UISEONG, 26 March (BelTA - Yonhap) - An ancient Buddhist temple in the
southeastern county of Uiseong was burned down Tuesday as the nation
struggled to contain wildfires that ravaged the southeastern region,
authorities said.
Gounsa Temple, built more than 1,000 years ago during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) in Uiseong, located about 180 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was fully engulfed by the fire at around 4:50 p.m., according to forest authorities.
The Jogye Order, a major Buddhist sect, said its senior officials held a meeting Tuesday to assess the fire damage and discuss ways to prevent further damage to other temples.
The order said it will support the restoration of temples destroyed by wildfires in consultation with the heritage authority and local governments.
As the wildfires continue to spread in Uiseong and surrounding areas, the Korea Heritage Service said it raised its disaster alert level to "serious" at 5:30 p.m., to protect national heritage sites from the risk of fire damage
It marks the first time the heritage authority has elevated its alert to the highest level in the four-tier system.
Gounsa Temple, built more than 1,000 years ago during the Silla Dynasty (57 B.C.-A.D. 935) in Uiseong, located about 180 kilometers southeast of Seoul, was fully engulfed by the fire at around 4:50 p.m., according to forest authorities.
The Jogye Order, a major Buddhist sect, said its senior officials held a meeting Tuesday to assess the fire damage and discuss ways to prevent further damage to other temples.
The order said it will support the restoration of temples destroyed by wildfires in consultation with the heritage authority and local governments.
As the wildfires continue to spread in Uiseong and surrounding areas, the Korea Heritage Service said it raised its disaster alert level to "serious" at 5:30 p.m., to protect national heritage sites from the risk of fire damage
It marks the first time the heritage authority has elevated its alert to the highest level in the four-tier system.
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