IU Donates 200 Million KRW to Aid Victims of Deadly South Korea Wildfires

South Korean singer and actress IU has donated 200 million KRW (roughly $136,000) to assist victims of the lethal wildfires raging throughout southeastern South Korea.The Hope Bridge Korea Catastrophe Reduction Affiliation introduced on Wednesday that IU, whose actual identify is Lee Ji-eun, made a beneficiant contribution to assist wildfire victims and enhance circumstances for firefighters working in catastrophe zones. The group plans to separate the donations equally, giving 100 million KRW to assist hearth victims and the opposite half to help firefighters.”I hope this will present some aid to these affected, and I prolong my deepest sympathies to the victims. I sincerely hope the wildfires are extinguished quickly with out additional casualties,” IU mentioned in a press release.”I want to categorical my deepest gratitude for the dedication of the firefighters who’re working exhausting to place them out,” she continued.This isn’t the primary time IU has contributed to catastrophe aid efforts. She has beforehand donated to assist flood victims in 2020 and East Coast wildfire aid in 2022. Her ongoing philanthropic efforts have amassed to over 6 billion KRW (roughly $4.08 million) in publicly disclosed donations.South Korea is presently grappling with one of many worst wildfire outbreaks in its historical past, which started final Friday, March 21. As of Wednesday, the fires have claimed no less than 24 lives and injured 26 others, most of whom are of their 60s and 70s, based on BBC, citing authorities. The wildfires have additionally pressured over 23,000 individuals to evacuate their houses.Roughly 17,398 hectares (42,991 acres) of land had been charred, making this the second-largest wildfire in South Korea’s historical past.The wildfires first sparked in Sancheong county in Northern Gyeongsang. It has since unfold throughout the nation’s southeastern area, with essentially the most extreme fires affecting Uiseong County, which accounts for 87% of the whole land burned. The Korea Forest Service mentioned that firefighters are presently battling 5 energetic wildfires as of Wednesday morning.