Charred, black ruins at South Korea's Gounsa temple stood on Thursday in stark contrast to the kaleidoscope of colours that are a trademark of the country's historic palaces and Buddhist temples.

The Gounsa temple was reportedly originally built in 681 A.D. during the Shilla dynasty that ruled more than half of the Korean Peninsula

Firefighters in South Korea are racing to save lives and ancient artefacts from the largest wildfire in the country's history. At least 27 people have been killed so far, according to the country's interior ministry - making the blaze also South Korea's deadliest.