The trip was clearly intended to remove recurring questions on Taiwan, for which Congress last year approved the sale of $1 billion in arms and equipment.

Yoon's leadership has polarized much of South Korean society after an attempt to declare martial law last year.

At least 27 people have died in what have grown into the largest wildfires in South Korea's history. Most of those who have lost their lives were in their 60s and 70s - in other words, those who struggled to escape the fast-moving infernos.