Key facts
- The South Korean government has called for enhanced protection for vulnerable outdoor workers and livestock during an ongoing heat wave.
- The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reviewed emergency protocols to address extreme heat.
- Emphasis was placed on safeguarding high-risk populations, including migrant workers and elderly farmers.
- Government ministries have heightened emergency response protocols, including increased patrols and dedicated response teams.
- Despite the lifting of the highest-level warning, temperatures remain high, and heat-related illnesses and deaths continue to be reported.
SEOUL, Aug. 9 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's government has urged enhanced protection measures for vulnerable outdoor workers and livestock amidst a persistent heat wave, even as the nation's highest heat wave alerts were downgraded. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters convened a meeting to review emergency protocols, stressing the need to safeguard high-risk groups, particularly migrant workers and elderly farmers who face language barriers and are more susceptible to heat-related dangers.
Kim Kwang-yong, chief of the headquarters, visited Yesan to inspect working conditions for foreign seasonal farmers and assess the impact of the heat on livestock. This visit followed reports of heat-related fatalities among foreign workers in Haenam and Hongseong. Farm owners were specifically asked to ensure adequate water, shade, and rest periods for their employees. Heat stroke prevention manuals, translated into 18 languages, and cooling supplies were distributed to aid these workers.
Government ministries have escalated their emergency responses. The agriculture ministry has upgraded its disaster situation room to an emergency response headquarters and increased patrols on farms using drones and vehicles. The health ministry established a 24-hour emergency response team to monitor elderly citizens at risk. The labor ministry intends to conduct intensive workplace inspections, focusing on sites like construction areas, and enforce mandatory work stoppages during peak heat hours through Friday.
While the highest-level heat wave warning was lifted nationwide on Sunday, some areas still recorded temperatures near 35 degrees Celsius. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 203 new cases of heat-related illnesses, bringing the cumulative total to 3,090. Three additional deaths were attributed to heat-related causes on Sunday. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts daily highs to remain around 35 C for the foreseeable future.