South Korea is experiencing a severe heatwave that has prompted unprecedented response measures across the nation. The southeastern city of Yangsan recorded an all-time national temperature record of 42.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday, marking the highest temperature documented in 122 years of weather observations. The extreme heat is now moving westward toward Seoul, the densely populated capital with over 9 million residents, which is forecast to experience temperatures of 38 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, followed by three consecutive days at 37 degrees Celsius.
The health impact has been significant, with authorities reporting 16 fatalities linked to heat exposure and more than 2,000 individuals treated for heat-related illnesses since May, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. In response, Seoul authorities convened an emergency meeting and initiated multiple protective measures, marking the first implementation of a severe heatwave warning system established this year to better address rising temperatures. President Lee Jae Myung called for officials to safeguard public welfare and monitor power infrastructure as electricity demand surges due to increased air conditioning usage. He emphasized the need for comprehensive reform of national crisis response systems, citing the normalization of extreme weather events.
Municipal authorities have deployed coordinated cooling initiatives throughout Seoul. Approximately 200 trucks are spraying nearly 2,000 kilometers of roads with water, operating up to six times daily in the most affected areas. Health officials are conducting welfare checks on approximately 63,000 vulnerable residents, including elderly individuals and those with disabilities or chronic conditions. In other regions, North Gyeongsang province has deployed drones equipped with loudspeakers and thermal imaging cameras to broadcast safety messages and monitor crowds in holiday destinations.
Outdoor workers face particular hardship, with construction workers and delivery personnel enduring brutal conditions with minimal heat relief infrastructure. The Korea Meteorological Administration attributes the heatwave to overlapping high-pressure systems combined with clear skies and intense direct sunlight. Southern regions are experiencing additional intensification from the foehn phenomenon, whereby wind crossing mountain ranges becomes hotter and drier. The path of Typhoon Dolphin remains a variable factor that could either worsen conditions through increased humidity or provide temporary relief through cloud cover and rainfall, depending on its trajectory toward the peninsula.
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