South Korea: 16 dead amid record heat wave, President Lee urges action

A record heatwave swept across South Korea, resulting in at least 16 fatalities, according to a recent report. President Lee Jae Myung urged for enhanced support for those impacted, highlighting that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. Between May 15 and August 2 this year, 2,025 individuals suffered heat-related illnesses, as reported by the interior ministry.

President Lee emphasized the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the national crisis system due to the increasing frequency of extreme weather, urging officials to expedite protective measures for citizens. The southeastern island city of Yangsan experienced the highest temperature recorded in 122 years, reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius (108.5 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday.

Following initial heatwave warnings for parts of Seoul and Gyeonggi on Monday, the Korea Meteorological Administration extended the warning to the entire capital city on Tuesday, marking the first such advisory since its introduction this year. Temperatures in the capital soared to 38 degrees Celsius during midday, with overnight temperatures expected to drop to around 29 degrees.

Residents were advised to remain indoors and consume ample water. The city designated approximately 4,000 public facilities as cooling centers to aid citizens during the heatwave. While Seoul hosts 9.6 million inhabitants, the broader metropolitan area is inhabited by over 25 million people, comprising roughly half of the nation's population.

Climate scientists have cautioned that extreme weather events like heatwaves are becoming increasingly common and severe due to climate change.