South Korea is grappling with devastating wildfires that have claimed at least four lives and forced hundreds to evacuate their homes. On Monday, officials designated three additional counties as 'special disaster zones' in an effort to mobilize resources for recovery. The blazes, which erupted on Saturday, have been fueled by strong winds and dry conditions.

In the southern region of Sancheong County, 64-year-old farmer Kim Byung-wook shared his heartbreak as his home of over 30 years was reduced to ashes. “Things that remind me of my youth disappeared without a trace—photos of my children when they were young," he lamented to Reuters. 

Sancheong County had already been classified as a disaster zone, prompting additional governmental support. Acting President Han Duck-soo, who resumed his role following a recent Constitutional Court ruling, visited Uiseong County—a site impacted by the fires. His office confirmed that he met with evacuees seeking refuge from the flames. The urgent need for comprehensive disaster recovery measures has never been clearer as communities face the aftermath of this ongoing crisis.