A massive blaze in a shanty town in the South Korean capital, Seoul, has led to around 500 people being evacuated, fire officials said. The fire broke out at 6:27 am Friday in Guryong Village, which houses approximately 660 families.

The fire department is trying to bring the blaze under control with about 290 firefighters, 10 helicopters and police officers on the site.&nbsp;

About 40 homes in the 1,700-square-meter (18,000-square-foot) area have been destroyed, fire officials said. However, no casualties were reported.&nbsp;

President Yoon Suk Yeol has instructed authorities to make all-out efforts to minimise the damage and mobilise all available firefighters and equipment, his spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye said.

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Around 500 people evacuated due to large fire burning at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GuryongVillage?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GuryongVillage</a> encampment in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Seoul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Seoul</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SouthKorea?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SouthKorea</a> <a href="https://t.co/HcsI28GOL0">pic.twitter.com/HcsI28GOL0</a>
— Mamta Gusain (@Mamtagusain5) <a href="https://twitter.com/Mamtagusain5/status/1616251599562899456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Authorities are also working to avoid any secondary damage, as instructed by Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, and are trying to protect residents in nearby areas.

The slum area is prone to disasters, such as floods and fires, due to the way the shanties have been built. Most of them are constructed using flammable material, like cardboard and wood.&nbsp;

The slum starkly stands out, sitting right next to the flashy, affluent district of Gangnam. One of the last remaining slums, the village is a symbol of inequality in Asia's fourth-largest economy.

Redevelopment and relocation have been on hold for the longest time as land owners, residents and authorities are at loggerheads. Seoul said Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the village and asked officials to draw up measures to relocate families affected by the fire.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A massive blaze in a shanty town in the South Korean capital, Seoul, has led to around 500 people being evacuated, fire officials said. The fire broke out at 6:27 am Friday in Guryong Village, which houses approximately 660 families.

A massive blaze in a shanty town in the South Korean capital, Seoul, has led to around 500 people being evacuated, fire officials said. The fire broke out at 6:27 am Friday in Guryong Village, which houses approximately 660 families. The fire department is trying to bring the blaze under control with about 290 firefighters, 10 helicopters and police officers on the site. About 40 homes in the 1,700-square-meter (18,000-square-foot) area have been destroyed, fire officials said. However, no casualties were reported. President Yoon Suk Yeol has instructed authorities to make all-out efforts to minimise the damage and mobilise all available firefighters and equipment, his spokeswoman Kim Eun-hye said. Around 500 people evacuated due to large fire burning at #GuryongVillage encampment in #Seoul, #SouthKorea pic.twitter.com/HcsI28GOL0 — Mamta Gusain (@Mamtagusain5) January 20, 2023 × Authorities are also working to avoid any secondary damage, as instructed by Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, and are trying to protect residents in nearby areas. The slum area is prone to disasters, such as floods and fires, due to the way the shanties have been built. Most of them are constructed using flammable material, like cardboard and wood. The slum starkly stands out, sitting right next to the flashy, affluent district of Gangnam. One of the last remaining slums, the village is a symbol of inequality in Asia's fourth-largest economy. Redevelopment and relocation have been on hold for the longest time as land owners, residents and authorities are at loggerheads. Seoul said Mayor Oh Se-hoon visited the village and asked officials to draw up measures to relocate families affected by the fire. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Around 500 people evacuated as massive blaze engulfs South Korean slum

A dog in South Korea has been appointed as the first honorary rescue for saving its owner's life.

The four-year-old dog called Baekgu, living in South Korea's Honseoung county, has a 90-year-old owner called Kim who has dementia.

As per the local media, the dog's owner went missing on August 25 after which police launched a search operation for the woman.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-an-object-south-korea-to-grant-legal-status-to-animals-to-tackle-abuse-abandonment-406760">'Not an object': South Korea to grant legal status to animals to tackle abuse, abandonment</a>

When the police cross-checked the footage of a security camera, they found Kim in a rice field, approximately two kilometres from her house.

She had fainted in the paddy field due to which she could not be seen by people passing by. But her faithful dog Baekgu found her and yet again proved why dogs are man's best friend.

Praising Baekgu, the police said Kim would have died in that field if her dog did not come to her rescue.

She was unable to get up by herself and the weather had gotten worse throughout the entire ordeal but Baekgu stayed by her side the whole time.

Her loyal dog kept her body temperature up when she began to experience hypothermia symptoms.&nbsp;

The governor of Honseoung county, Yang Seung-jo said ''At a difficult time due to COVID-19, Baekgu created an unbelievable miracle and moved everyone.''

Baekgu has been awarded for his extraordinary courage under the regulation introduced by the National Fire Agency to appoint honorary firefighters, fire ambassadors, and rescue dogs.

Kim had adopted Baekgu after he was attacked by a bigger dog according to her daughter Shim Geum-sun.

A dog in South Korea has been appointed as the first honorary rescue for saving its owner's life. The four-year-old dog called Baekgu, living in South Korea's Honseoung county, has a 90-year-old owner called Kim who has dementia.

A dog in South Korea has been appointed as the first honorary rescue for saving its owner's life. The four-year-old dog called Baekgu, living in South Korea's Honseoung county, has a 90-year-old owner called Kim who has dementia. As per the local media, the dog's owner went missing on August 25 after which police launched a search operation for the woman. Also read| 'Not an object': South Korea to grant legal status to animals to tackle abuse, abandonment When the police cross-checked the footage of a security camera, they found Kim in a rice field, approximately two kilometres from her house. She had fainted in the paddy field due to which she could not be seen by people passing by. But her faithful dog Baekgu found her and yet again proved why dogs are man's best friend. Praising Baekgu, the police said Kim would have died in that field if her dog did not come to her rescue. She was unable to get up by herself and the weather had gotten worse throughout the entire ordeal but Baekgu stayed by her side the whole time. Her loyal dog kept her body temperature up when she began to experience hypothermia symptoms. The governor of Honseoung county, Yang Seung-jo said ''At a difficult time due to COVID-19, Baekgu created an unbelievable miracle and moved everyone.'' Baekgu has been awarded for his extraordinary courage under the regulation introduced by the National Fire Agency to appoint honorary firefighters, fire ambassadors, and rescue dogs. Kim had adopted Baekgu after he was attacked by a bigger dog according to her daughter Shim Geum-sun.

South Korea appoints dog as first honorary rescue dog for saving his owner's life

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Around 500 people evacuated as massive blaze engulfs South Korean slum

South Korea appoints dog as first honorary rescue dog for saving his owner's life