The mayor of Sokcho is under fire for being on vacation during the wildfire.

According to a report by the Yonhap News Agency on the 5th, Sokcho Mayor Kim Chulsoo who was on vacation at Jeju Island on April 4th has spoken out after failing to return to Sokcho when a massive fire broke out. The Mayor told Yonhap, "I didn't know about the fire and it wasn't my intent to leave. I'm not saying I was right but the trip was planned ahead I just want you to understand my position. I have being doing my best, and if I'm guilty then I'll be punished."

According to Kim, he left for Jeju Island on the morning of April 4th. Their children booked a vacation for him and his wife who's 60 years old this year ahead of their wedding anniversary on the 8th. Then, news of the fire broke at around 7:20pm and he was notified via the officials' group chatroom. The mayor asked his son-in-law to look into getting a plan ticket to get back to Sokcho. "It took about an hour to get to the airport in Seogwipo but the last flight was already sold out so I couldn't get back, " Kim said. "Eventually I booked the first flight out at 6:30am the next day. I wasn't able to sleep and watched the fire on television. I left at 4:00am and went to the airport and upon arriving at Sokcho at 10:00am on the 5th I joined the field task force. I'm worried about how the victims must be dealing with this. It's a terrible scene."

The mayor is under fire for being on vacation while the city was engulfed in flames. The trip was a 3-night, 4-day event but as news of the fire broke the Mayor was forced to returned home.

1. [+11,266, -480] It wasn't some holiday but a trip for a wedding anniversary of their marriage. He didn't have a flight ticket but returned immediately. Did you want him to swim across the sea?? The media is too much. I think the media just picks up anything for clicks.. it's pathetic.

2. [+5993, -157] He traveled before the fire and tried his best to get on the first flight back to Sokcho. What is with this crazy broadcast SBS?? What's wrong with going on a trip? Because of natural conditions we should watch out for forest fires all year round from spring, autumn, typhoons in the summer and heavy snow in the winter? Then can he not leave Sokcho city for vacation all year long??

3. [+2,552, -93] Its something that he cant predict. He did his best with what could be done. Come on!~

4. [+1303, -60] Let's not judge people for this kind of thing just because they're from the opposition party. No one can predict the future..

5. [+582, -7] No one knows what going to happen in the future. Why are SBS reporters reporting this like its controversial??

6. [+366, -7] Is a public official a seer? Should he be able to predict the fire? This is a little too much for a planned trip prepared by his filial kids.

7. [+123, -5] He's also a person. What is the media doing these days..

8. [+78, -2] SBS why didn't you broadcast about the fire in advance..he wouldn't have gone if you had~

9. [+59, -2] I'll be voting for the deputy mayor after this~

10. [+23, -0] I have no words~

Additional source: Yonhap News