(LEAD) Temperatures soar to record 42 C in southeast

Seoul, August 2 (Yonhap) - The southeastern city of Yangsan in South Korea experienced a record-breaking heat wave on Sunday, with temperatures soaring to a staggering 42.5 degrees Celsius, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The scorching heat continued to intensify, with the mercury reaching 42 degrees Celsius at 1:16 p.m. and climbing to 42.5 degrees Celsius by 1:26 p.m., marking the highest temperature since 1904 when modern weather records began on the Korean Peninsula.

This trend of temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in Yangsan has been occurring with increasing frequency, prompting concerns that the thermostat could even surpass 43 degrees Celsius. The fifth consecutive day of temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in Yangsan was noted on Sunday, while Gyeongju, located about 240 kilometers southeast of Seoul, saw temperatures rise to 40.2 degrees Celsius at 1:55 p.m., marking the first time this year the mercury had breached the 40-degree mark.

This surpassed the previous record of 39.8 degrees Celsius set in 2018. In response to the extreme heat, the government issued a Level 2 emergency operation for the disaster response headquarters at 1 p.m., urging heightened vigilance across all government sectors. Public advisories emphasized the importance of avoiding outdoor activities and adhering to safety measures to protect the most vulnerable populations.

Prime Minister Han Seong-sook issued emergency directives for government ministries and provincial governments to intensify safety protocols for at-risk individuals and to ensure reliable power and water supply infrastructure remained operational.