South Korea registered its highest temperature on record at 42.5 C in Yangsan amid a severe heatwave. Authorities urged the public to stop all outdoor activities and seek cool, air-conditioned spaces.
The record-breaking temperatures highlight the increasing intensity of extreme weather events, potentially linked to climate change and El Niño, posing significant public health risks and straining infrastructure.
South Korea registered its highest temperature on record at 42.5 C in the southeastern city of Yangsan on Sunday, as a severe heatwave continues to grip the nation. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) reported the reading, which is the highest since modern weather observations began in 1904. Yangsan has now experienced five consecutive days with temperatures exceeding 40 C. Other cities, including Daegu and Busan, are also seeing high temperatures. Authorities have urged people to "immediately stop all outdoor activities" and seek refuge in air-conditioned spaces, with more than 20 localities under emergency heatwave alerts. The KMA noted that the average annual number of heatwave days in the country has more than doubled in the past five years. The extreme weather is occurring alongside the return of El Niño.
The government has initiated a Level 2 emergency operation to bolster its response to the extreme heat, with Prime Minister Han Seong-sook issuing orders to strengthen safety checks for vulnerable populations and ensure stable power and water supply.