Daegu wildfire on Mount Hamji edges closer to Palgeo Fortress historical site

The wildfire on Mount Hamji in Daegu has spread near the Palgeo Fortress, an ancient structure that dates back to the Three Kingdoms period (57 B.C.-668 A.D.) on Tuesday, according to forestry authorities.

The fire started around 2 p.m. on Monday, eventually spreading rapidly to trigger a Level 3 response from fire authorities. It had affected 260 hectares (642 acres) as of 9 a.m. on Tuesday. The containment rate was 92 percent as of 10 a.m., according to the Korea Forest Service.

Palgeo Fortress, located on Mount Hamji, is a stone-walled summit fortress thought to have been made in the Three Kingdoms period and primarily used during the Unified Silla period (668-935).

The state designated the fortress as a cultural heritage site in 2023 for both its historical and academic value as a strategic military stronghold used to protect Silla.

"Since the fortress itself is built of stone, direct damage from the wildfire is expected to be minimal," a forestry official said.

BY KIM JU-YEON [kim.juyeon2@joongang.co.kr]