Seoul, August 3: South Korea continues to grapple with unprecedented heat on Monday. Several regions across the country recorded record-breaking temperatures, leading to a surge in heat-related illnesses.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the southeastern city of Daegu reached a scorching 40.9 degrees Celsius. This marks the first time since August 1942 that temperatures there have surpassed the 40-degree mark.
As reported by the Yonhap News Agency, the highest temperature in the country was recorded at 41.2 degrees Celsius in Goryeong County, located about 230 kilometers southeast of Seoul, at 3:37 PM.
Warnings for extreme heat remain in effect in the southwestern regions of the country. Such warnings are issued when the perceived temperature stays at or above 38 degrees Celsius for more than one day.
The KMA announced that from 11 AM Tuesday, the highest level of heat warnings will be implemented in southern parts of Seoul, certain areas of Gyeonggi Province surrounding the capital, and in the counties of Jangseong and Gokseong in South Jeolla Province.
This will be the first time since the heat warning system was initiated in June that the highest level of heat wave warnings will be issued for the Greater Seoul area.
In the southeastern city of Yangsan, where temperatures soared to 42.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday—the highest since modern weather monitoring began in 1904—temperatures remained around 38 degrees Celsius.
The intense heat has led to serious health issues nationwide. In Incheon, west of Seoul, a 40-year-old man died on Monday morning after being hospitalized the previous day, with his body temperature reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius. Additionally, the bodies of two farmers, aged 60 and 80, were found in South Chungcheong Province on Sunday.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 108 individuals were treated for heat-related illnesses in emergency rooms across the country on Sunday. Since May 15, the total number of such patients has reached 2,025, with 16 reported fatalities due to heat-related conditions.
In Seoul, 18 new heat-related patients were reported on Sunday, bringing the total to 185 since mid-May.
The KMA attributes this prolonged extreme heat to several high-pressure systems over the Korean Peninsula. Clear skies and intense direct sunlight have further exacerbated the rising temperatures.
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