{
  "id": 328472,
  "title": "Why some parts of Seoul are hotter than others",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/why-some-parts-of-seoul-are-hotter-than-others-328472",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-09T00:47:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20260809/why-some-parts-of-seoul-are-hotter-than-others"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Seoul, South Korea, is experiencing extreme heat with temperatures nearing 40 degrees Celsius. President Lee Jae Myung declared the heat wave a \"national disaster situation,\" urging the government to respond swiftly and comprehensively to safeguard lives and maintain public safety. Meanwhile, a study from the United States highlights the potential benefits of urban greenery in mitigating the effects of high temperatures. Researchers at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine analyzed data from Chicago, Illinois, spanning from 2011 to 2021. Their findings revealed that a rise in tree canopy coverage corresponded with lower mortality rates. Specifically, a 1 percent increase in shaded areas was linked to a 9.8 percent reduction in overall mortality, broken down by cause of death.",
  "summary": "com. A heat wave with temperatures approaching 40 degrees Celsius has continued across Korea. President Lee Jae Myung said during a recent meeting with senior secretaries and aides that the current heat wave is “effectively a national disaster situation,” stressing that the government should maximize the level, scope and speed of its policy response to…",
  "key_points": [
    "Seoul faces extreme heat with temperatures near 40°C",
    "Study shows urban greenery reduces mortality in Chicago",
    "1% more tree canopy lowers mortality by 9.8%"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The link between urban greenery and lower mortality rates during heat waves suggests that cities like Seoul could benefit from increased tree canopy coverage to protect residents from extreme temperatures.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Why some parts of Seoul are hotter than others",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/09/why-some-parts-of-seoul-are-hotter-than-others",
        "published": "2026-08-09T00:22:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}