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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (April 7, 2025)
ASIA / PACIFIC April 7, 2025 THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 3 South Korea’s centuries-old Gounsa temple is left in ruins by unprecedented wildfires By Hyung-Jin Kim The Associated Press Kim Do-hoon/Yonhap via AP Baek Seung-reol/Yonhap via AP S EOUL, South Korea — Unprecedented wildfires ripping through South Korea’s southern regions destroyed large parts of an ancient Buddhist temple complex, burning down two buildings that had been designated national treasures. Five days of wildfires, considered among South Korea’s worst, left 24 people dead, destroyed more than 300 structures, and forced more than 28,000 residents to evacuate, according to officials. The Gounsa temple was reportedly originally built in 681 C.E. during the Shilla dynasty that ruled more than half of the Korean Peninsula. It is nestled at the foot of Deungun Mountain in the southeastern town of Uiseong. While it doesn’t house buildings constructed during that ancient period, it is home to several famous cultural heritages built later. The temple was engulfed in TEMPLE TRAGEDY. Pavilions, left photo, are seen at the Gounsa temple in Uiseong, South Korea, on February 11, 2025. In the photo on the right, taken on March 26, 2025, the remains of burnt-out pavilions due to wildfires are seen at the Gounsa temple. Unprecedented wildfires ripped through South Korea’s southern regions, destroying large parts of the ancient Buddhist temple complex. flames March 25 as strong winds on the Korean Peninsula, and when he was younger. “I feel that we can maintain the temple. We feel it’s very fortunate,” fanned the wildfires. About 20 of were given the government desig- really empty. Life is transient.” Doryun now works for a Doryun told The Associated its 30 buildings and structures nation of “treasure,” a status were completely burned down, given to old buildings, paintings, Buddhist organization in charge Press over the phone. Doryun also said about 20 including the revered Gaunru, a and other cultural assets with of the temple. He said that monks pavilion-shaped structure built historic and artistic significance and Buddhist faithful managed monks and other workers live at in 1668 overlooking a stream, and and which receive state-level to move the temple’s third the temple, but none were “treasure,” a stone Buddha injured. Yeonsujeon, built in 1904 to mark protection and maintenance. The Korea Heritage Service “I went there this morning and statue reportedly built in the 8th the longevity of a king, according said the temple’s two other to the state-run Korea Heritage found they’ve been reduced to century, to a safe place. cultural assets, “Many buildings were burned lower-level heaps of ashes,” said Doryun, a Service. Both were constructed during senior monk who had lived at the down, but we moved and including a stone pagoda, were the Joseon dynasty, the last one temple for more than three years protected other sacred assets so also found intact. What to know about Myanmar’s civil war, which is complicating earthquake relief efforts By Grant Peck The Associated Press B ANGKOK — The Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar has been plagued by wars and natural disasters since it became independent from Britain in 1948, when it was still called Burma. Relief efforts from the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28 will be especially complicated with the country embroiled in civil war, which began after the army seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021. The main resistance movement against military rule issued a statement saying it unilaterally initiated a two-week ceasefire that began March 30 in areas of the country affected by the quake. The military government, even before the earthquake, employed massive repression and state violence, and heavily restricted much-needed aid to the more than 3 million people displaced by war. The army’s ability to facilitate or block food and other assistance has been described as a way of weaponizing aid. Critics of the military government have called repeatedly for outside assistance to be delivered directly to areas under control of the resistance. Who are the protagonists in Myanmar’s armed conflict? The military, which has directly or indirectly ruled Myanmar most of the time since independence, seized power from Suu Kyi’s government as it was about to begin a second five-year term. She and leaders of her National League for Democracy party were jailed, and security forces put down pro-democracy demonstrations with deadly force, leading to the growth of armed resistance, and the army in turn escalating its violence. Despite a huge disadvantage in weaponry and manpower, pro-democracy fighters allied with ethnic minority groups seeking greater autonomy have successfully battled back, and analysts believe they control a much greater share of territory. The resistance is coordinated by the self-styled National Unity Government (NUG), whose claim to legitimacy is that it was formed by elected lawmakers. The NUG, which operates underground, has an armed wing called the People’s Defense Force (PDF). The PDF is largely a conglomeration of locally formed defense groups, poorly armed but usually with the advantage of fighting on home ground. Their ethnic allies are much more experienced and have even managed in some cases to manufacture their own weapons. What exactly has the resistance proposed? The National Unity Government late last month announced that the PDF would implement the two-week pause in offensive military operations in the earthquake-affected areas, while retaining the right to self-defense. It said it would collaborate with the U.N. and international nongovernmental organizations “to ensure security, transportation, and the establishment of temporary rescue and medical camps” in the areas it controls. It also offered to provide healthcare professionals loyal to its resistance movement to work with international humanitarian organizations to deliver emergency rescue and medical services in areas under the military’s control, if provided with safety guarantees. What is the significance of the resistance’s announcement? The PDF fighters rarely mount large-scale offensives, sticking mainly to defense and ambush-style attacks, so its ceasefire would be largely symbolic. By taking the moral high ground, it gives its supporters a stronger argument to push for the unrestricted distribution of aid. Although the military government has made the rare gesture of soliciting foreign emergency aid, its critics are skeptical that it will deploy it fairly and effectively. The military’s record is discouraging. For instance, it initially refused to allow in foreign rescue teams or many emergency supplies after Cyclone Nargis in 2008, which resulted in well over 100,000 deaths, and tens of thousands more left unaccounted for. Even after it agreed to accept foreign help, it was with severe restrictions. When Cyclone Mocha ripped into the coast in May 2023, the military’s relief efforts were again tardy, and as in 2008, private relief missions were discouraged, as was reporting. Property damage was heavy and while 145 deaths were officially acknowledged, independent accounts put the total at more than 400. There are examples in other countries when the effort to rebuild after natural disasters have played a part in helping to restore peace to areas torn by conflict, most notably in Indonesia’s Aceh province after it was devastated by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. W hat will YOU do in high school? Our small school environment helps students do big things! delasallenorth.org | 503-285-9385 BRAYDEN , Class of 2024 ͻZŽďŽƟĐƐůƵď ͻtŽƌŬ^ƚƵĚLJƐƐŽĐŝĂƚĞĂƚĂƚŚŽůŝĐŚĂƌŝƟĞƐ ͻhŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJŽĨWŽƌƚůĂŶĚďŽƵŶĚ
