(3rd LD) Temperatures soar to record 42.5 C in southeast

Temperatures in the southeastern city of Yangsan reached a record high of 42.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday due to an ongoing heat wave in South Korea, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The mercury soared to 42 C at 1:16 p.m. and climbed further to 42.5 C at 1:26 p.m., marking the highest temperature since modern weather observations began on the Korean Peninsula in 1904.

The trend of temperatures exceeding 40 C has been occurring earlier each day, prompting concerns that the temperature could surpass 43 C. This was the fifth consecutive day temperatures in Yangsan surpassed 40 C, with Gyeongju, about 240 kilometers southeast of Seoul, reaching 40.3 C at 2:14 p.m. - the first instance of temperatures above 40 C in the city this year.

The government activated the Level 2 emergency operation of the disaster response headquarters, marking the first time since August 2023 and the second time in its history, to strengthen the government-wide response to the extreme heat. The public was advised to avoid outdoor activities and adhere to safety measures, while government ministries and provincial governments were directed to enhance safety checks on vulnerable individuals and maintain stable power and water supplies.

In the period from May 15 to July 31, a total of 1,781 patients sought treatment for heat-related symptoms, with 13 fatalities attributed to heat-related illnesses.