Fire at U.S. military warehouse in Busan sparks tension
On Thursday, a fire broke out at a U.S. military warehouse in the port city of Busan. According to information provided by the authorities, no casualties were reported, as per the South Korean Yonhap agency.
Local officials reported that the fire broke out at 6:31 PM Local Time. The agency reports that the flames appeared at the United States Force Korea warehouse in Busan - approximately 320 kilometres southeast of Seoul.
More than 160 firefighters and 51 pieces of firefighting equipment were mobilised for the firefighting operation.
Preliminary reports suggest that the fire most likely broke out due to hydraulic work being carried out at the facility.
After an hour and a half of operation - just before 7:55 PM Local Time - the fire authorities in Busan raised the threat level. Due to the firefighters' decision, equipment and personnel from nearby towns were also mobilised for the operation. Firefighters from 8 of the 11 nearby fire departments were brought to the site, reports the Yonhap agency.
Tension on the Korean Peninsula
The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains extremely tense. This is linked to the presence of Northern soldiers in Russia. Kim Jong Un's troops are said to support the Russian army in battles on the front lines in Ukraine.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Thursday that if special units of North Korea's military are on the front lines in Ukraine, Seoul will have to respond depending on Pyongyang's movements. He assured that his country will continue to support Ukraine.
