Seoul declares national disaster as winds fan giant forest fire

SEOUL, South Korea - A giant forest fire swept across swathes of South Korea Friday, as authorities declared a rare national disaster, deploying 900 fire engines and tens of thousands of personnel to bring it under control.

Apocalyptic images on television and social media showed walls of flame lighting up the night, buildings ablaze, and clouds of smoke billowing across hillsides during the day.

The fire broke out late Thursday alongside a road in the town of Goseong, in the far northeast of the country and only around 45 kilometers from the border with the nuclear-armed North.

Fanned by strong winds, it quickly spread through the mountainous area, incinerating 400 homes and 500 hectares of land, according to the government.

Nearly 4,200 people were evacuated and one person died while 35 were injured, authorities said.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in visited the areas in Gangwon province most affected by the blaze, meeting with residents who were forced to leave their homes.

Moon and his staff wore yellow jackets, which symbolize situations of national emergency.

The president's approval rating hit a record low of 41 percent Friday over concerns about the economy.

He visited an elementary school in Goseong where evacuees were staying, and Jangcheon village, where many residential houses are reported to have burned down.

"I hope you take extra care of displaced victims who -- after having lost their homes in an instant -- may now find time to catch their breath," Moon told fire officials.

The National Fire Agency said more than 870 fire engines and some 10,000 emergency personnel were dispatched to fight the blaze.

The military sent 32 helicopters, along with fire engines of its own, and 16,500 soldiers, to help.

"Fortunately, the main fire has been brought under control," provincial governor Choi Moon-soon said in a radio interview with TV channel YTN, but added that others were still burning.

The central government declared a state of national disaster, entitling affected areas to special assistance including goods and equipment, and banning entry to dangerous zones.

The last time Seoul made such a declaration was in 2007, when a crude oil carrier leaked thousands of tons of oil into the sea off the west coast.

Moon told officials to liaise with North Korean authorities if the fire approaches the border, the presidential office said.