Record heatwave spreads across Korean peninsula, prompting emergency response
Record heatwave spreads across Korean peninsula, prompting emergency response
Record temperatures are spreading across the Korean peninsula, with forecasters warning that extreme heat and tropical nights are likely to continue through the week.
Yangsan reached 42.5°C – the highest temperature recorded in 122 years of observations. Since mid-May, 14 people have died and 1,889 have suffered heat-related illnesses.
Seoul has opened more cooling shelters, distributed free water and sun umbrellas, and urged residents to avoid outdoor work after the capital received its first-ever severe heatwave warning.
Families flocked to streams, beaches and water parks to escape the heat. "Forty degrees is not a number we used to see in Korea," said Seoul resident Park Jin-woo.
