Controversy has erupted in Los Angeles after private firefighting teams were called to protect affluent neighborhoods from devastating wildfires, while nearby areas were left to burn, sparking questions about social inequality and the role of private firefighting services.
Local authorities reported on Tuesday that the wildfires in Los Angeles had caused at least 25 deaths, destroyed more than 12,000 buildings, and burned over 155 square kilometers of land.
In the midst of the devastation, a stark contrast became evident in the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where some buildings remained largely untouched by the flames, standing just streets away from charred remains in other areas.
The protected properties, part of the Palisades Village Shopping Center, were safeguarded by a private firefighting team hired by the shopping center's owners.
U.S. media outlets reported that the private firefighting crew, rushed in from neighboring Arizona, was deployed after the fire began spreading on the night of Jan 7 and into the early morning hours of Jan 8.
This revelation contradicted earlier denials by the Los Angeles Fire Department about the presence of private firefighters. The use of such private teams has since been linked to other wealthy areas, extending beyond just the shopping center.
Privately leased water trucks, each carrying about 12 tons of water, were seen stationed on the streets of the shopping center, standing by to combat the flames.
In the U.S., private firefighting services are typically hired through fire departments or insurance companies, not directly by individuals or businesses, with fees reaching up to 2,000 U.S. dollars per hour.
The revelation has sparked outrage, particularly among residents who lost their homes in less affluent areas. Many are questioning why private firefighting teams were able to prevent the spread of the fire, while city crews struggled to contain the flames.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported that 20 percent of fire hydrants in the affected areas were either dry or had low water pressure, raising concerns about the coordination between private and public firefighting efforts, as well as their potential impact on public safety.
There are growing concerns about whether the private firefighting efforts obstructed evacuation routes or delayed the response of official fire crews. t remains unclear whether these private teams may have contributed to the slow response in areas that were not directly protected.
Controversy erupts as private firefighters called into rich neighborhoods to fight LA wildfires
South Korean experts have warned that the United States' new tougher foreign policy under President Donald Trump poses a threat to the East Asian country's economy which has already suffered a slowdown in growth amid an ongoing political crisis.
Trump is expected to take a hard line on trade and diplomacy with South Korea. He wants the Asian partner to pay more for the stationing of over 28,000 U.S. troops in the country, while their trilateral security relationship with Japan is also likely to take a back seat under the newly inaugurated president.
Trump's tariff-driven approach could also see South Korea diversify its markets away from the U.S. With an export-driven economy, according to experts.
"Trump seems to be backing off on some of his remarks, but I think it is fairly definite that he will impose tariffs on a wide range of products as he has emphasized again and again that he has faith in the power of tariffs which virtually no economist shares," said Yang Jun-sok, a professor of economics at Catholic University of Korea.
There is also concern that Trump's policies will be inflationary, making it hard for countries like South Korea to cut key lending rates, along with an expectation that Trump's second term will cause a global slowdown and add to the pain of South Korea's already sluggish economy.
Another big concern for South Korea is security, some experts hold that Trump made no progress with de-nuclearization on the peninsula during his first term. Until last month, the U.S. had been expected to green-light South Korea's request to lift restrictions on reprocessing nuclear materials.
"I don't think there's a reasonable chance for the Trump administration to actually allow South Korea to develop its own nuclear weapons because of the martial law declaration and the political chaos that ensued after the declaration," said Bong Young-shik, a research fellow at Yonsei University.
The expert also noted that the political paralysis in South Korea caused by martial law since early December and the arrest of President Yoon Suk-yeol pose problems for Trump.
"The main challenge must be the absence of reliable and responsible leadership," Bong added.
New U.S. policy finds Seoul struggling with political turmoil, and follows extended national medical strikes. That's also the biggest concern in South Korea. Experts have warned that the political uncertainty is adding to market jitters.
"The political turmoil comes on top of that risk and it's making the capital markets, the financial markets very nervous, it's also beginning to make the export market a bit nervous as well," said Yang.
Trump's tougher foreign policy threatens South Korea's economy: experts