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Son Heung-min donates £100,000 to victims of South Korea's forest fire

  /  autty

Son Heung-min has donated £100,000 to the victims of South Korea's worst ever forest fire.

The Tottenham star was moved to act after news broke of a blaze in his homeland that killed two people and forced thousands to leave their homes.

There is a massive relief effort underway in South Korea and 17,700 emergency service personnel have mobilised to get the inferno under control.

Son is regarded as a national hero in South Korea and was one of a number of high profile figures to donate.

'It's nothing compared to what the victims have sacrificed,' he told Goal.

'Although I'm living abroad, I know what's happening in my home country. I think it's something I should do when there's a big disaster in my home country.

'I believe money does not matter. The most important thing is a mind to do something for the victims.'

Firefighters have managed to subdue the worst of the fire, ignited by a transformer spark near a resort in Goseong, and the true extent of the damage is becoming clear. Cars and homes have been burned out with 525 hectares of forest estimated to have been destroyed.

Despite his donation to the cause, Son has been criticised by some for what they see as an insufficient amount given that his contribution is less than the weekly wage of £140,000 he earns.

Despite a few voices of dissent, Son is a legend in South Korea for his prowess in the national shirt and for Spurs. The 26-year-old has been one of the Premier League's best players this season with 18 goals and 9 assists in all competitions.

He came off the bench late on in the 4-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday as Mauricio Pochettino's side strengthened their grip on third place.