{
  "id": 76629,
  "title": "South Korea records its highest-ever temperature of 42.5 C",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/03/south-korea-records-its-highest-ever-temperature-of-42-5-c",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-03T07:13:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-south-korea-highest-temperature.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "South Korea has recorded its highest-ever temperature of 42.5°C, with the southeastern city of Yangsan witnessing the scorching heat on Sunday. The Korea Meteorological Administration warned people to cease all outdoor activities immediately, citing a new emergency heat wave alert. This marked the fifth consecutive day of temperatures surpassing 40°C in Yangsan, while other cities like Daegu and Busan also experienced high temperatures. Public spaces, including malls and cafes, saw an influx of people seeking respite from the heat. The average number of heat wave days in South Korea has more than doubled in recent years, from eight per year in the 1970s to 19 in the past five years. The ongoing extreme weather has been attributed to the effects of climate change and the return of El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon. This heat wave also led to the cancellation of a South Korean baseball game in Changwon due to safety concerns.",
  "summary": "South Korea registered its highest temperature since records began more than a century ago on Sunday, as authorities warned people to \"immediately\" stop all outdoor activities in affected areas.",
  "key_points": [
    "South Korea records highest temperature at 42.5°C",
    "Yangsan city witnesses scorching heat on Sunday",
    "Climate change and El Niño cause extreme weather"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}