Seoul, August 9: South Korea is taking proactive steps to protect vulnerable populations and animals during the ongoing heatwave. Despite the lifting of the highest alerts nationwide, the government is implementing measures to assist those at risk.
In a meeting involving relevant ministries and local officials, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reviewed emergency protocols to combat extreme heat.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the headquarters urged all inter-agency response units to focus on the safety of high-risk groups, including migrant workers and elderly farmers.
Earlier, the head of the headquarters, Kim Kwang-yong, visited Yesan County, located about 100 kilometers south of Seoul, to assess working conditions for foreign seasonal farmers and to evaluate the impact of heat on animals. This visit followed reports of heat-related deaths among foreign workers in the Jeolla and Chungcheong provinces.
Migrant workers often face language barriers, complicating their access to safety measures. In response, Kim Kwang-yong urged farm owners to provide ample water, shade, and rest for their workers.
Officials distributed heatstroke prevention manuals translated into 18 languages, along with various cooling supplies. Kim also inspected local swine farms to check their ventilation and cooling systems. According to the headquarters, the government has intensified its emergency response protocols.
Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture upgraded its disaster situation room to an emergency response headquarters and increased drone and vehicle patrols in the fields. The Ministry of Health has established a 24-hour emergency response team to monitor elderly citizens at risk.
By Friday, the Ministry of Labor plans to conduct thorough inspections of workplaces most affected by the heat, such as construction sites, and may mandate work stoppages during extreme temperatures.
On Sunday, the highest heat warnings were lifted across the country, although temperatures in some areas remained close to 35 degrees Celsius.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 203 new cases of heat-related illnesses on Sunday, bringing the total to 3,090. There were also three additional deaths linked to these conditions.
The Korea Meteorological Administration predicts that daytime temperatures will hover around 35 degrees Celsius in most parts of the country in the coming days.
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