(2nd LD) Historic Buddhist temple in Uiseong burned down by wildfires

▲ A mountain near Gounsa Temple, an ancient temple in Uiseong county, about 180 kilometers southeast of Seoul, burns as wildfires spread across the southeastern region on March 25, 2025, in this photo provided by the government of North Gyeongsang Province. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

▲ A literary museum near Gounsa Temple, a historic Buddhist temple in Uiseong county, about 180 kilometers southeast of Seoul, is on fire on March 25, 2025. (Yonhap)

▲ Choi Eung-Chon, head of the Korea Heritage Service, covers a stoned Buddha statue with fire-resistant cloth at Gounsa Temple in Uiseong county, about 180 kilometers southeast of Seoul, as wildfires spread into the region on March 25, 2025, in this photo provided by Choi's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) wildfires-temple

(2nd LD) Historic Buddhist temple in Uiseong burned down by wildfires

(ATTN: UPDATES with latest details in paras 4, 6-7; ADDS photo)

UISEONG, South Korea, March 25 (Yonhap) -- An ancient Buddhist temple in the southeastern county of Uiseong wasburned 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.

A Buddhist architectural structure from the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), designated as a national treasure, was also destroyed in the blaze.

It remains unclear whether the main hall, built in the 1990s using modern architectural techniques, was also completely destroyed, as the area was not accessible due to the fire.

Authorities confirmed that a stone Buddha statue and other cultural treasures had been moved to safe locations in North Gyeongsang Province. Monks and other people at the temple evacuated before the fire reached the area.

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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