Seoul, South Korea — January 17, 2026: In a landmark ruling, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced two individuals, identified as Park Ji-hoon and Kim Min-seok, for their roles in orchestrating t...
Seoul, South Korea — January 17, 2026 : In a landmark ruling, the Seoul Central District Court sentenced two individuals, identified as Park Ji-hoon and Kim Min-seok, for their roles in orchestrating the worst wildfires in South Korea's history. The verdict, delivered on January 17, 2026, has sparked a wave of public outcry for more stringent penalties against those responsible for environmental disasters. Details of the Crime and Sentencing Park Ji-hoon and Kim Min-seok were found guilty of arson leading to the catastrophic wildfires that swept through Gyeongsang Province in April 2025. The fires destroyed over 900 hectares of forest and resulted in evacuation orders for more than 10,000 residents. Each was sentenced to 15 years in prison, a punishment many deem insufficient given the scale of destruction. Public and Industry Reactions The sentencing has reignited debates about the current legal framework surrounding environmental crimes in South Korea. Prominent figures in the K-pop ...