A record heat wave is gripping the Korean peninsula, with South Korea recording its highest temperature in 122 years and authorities reporting 14 deaths and 1,889 heat-related illnesses since mid-May.
The extreme heat, spreading from the southeast into Seoul and western regions, is forcing power authorities to activate emergency measures as electricity demand surges and has prompted the government to raise its heatwave alert to the second-highest level, unlocking emergency funding and directing ministries to mobilize all available resources to protect residents and manage infrastructure strain.
What happened
Extreme heat is spreading across the Korean peninsula, with South Korea's Yangsan recording 42.5°C on Sunday—the highest temperature in 122 years of weather observations. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 14 deaths and 1,889 heat-related illnesses since mid-May. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook ordered ministries and local governments to mobilize resources after raising the heatwave response alert to the second-highest level.
Why it matters
The heat is disrupting daily life, canceling baseball games and straining electricity supply as air-conditioning demand surges toward record highs expected in late August. North Korea is also experiencing dangerous conditions, with state media reporting heat advisories covering much of the country through the week. Authorities are racing to protect vulnerable residents through cooling shelters, free water distribution, and water-spraying operations.
What to watch
South Korea's weather agency warned temperatures could rise further in western regions this week. Power authorities are closely monitoring supply and demand as electricity consumption is expected to reach a record high in late August. The Korea Baseball Organization said further schedule adjustments could be considered if dangerous conditions persist.
A record heat wave is gripping the Korean peninsula with severe consequences for public health and infrastructure. On Monday, forecasters reported that extreme heat previously concentrated in South Korea's southeast was spreading into the Seoul metropolitan area and other western regions. The Korea Meteorological Administration recorded 42.5°C in Yangsan on Sunday—the highest temperature measured in 122 years of weather observations. The southeastern city had already broken the national record on the two preceding days. By Sunday, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported that 14 people had died and 1,889 had suffered heat-related illnesses since mid-May.
In response to the escalating crisis, Prime Minister Han Seong-sook ordered ministries and local governments to mobilize all available resources. The government raised its heatwave response alert to the second-highest level, unlocking emergency funding and enabling more frequent inspections in affected areas. Severe heatwave warnings were issued across parts of southern South Korea, including Busan, Ulsan, South Gyeongsang, and parts of Gwangju and South Jeolla Province. Local governments scrambled to protect vulnerable residents: Seoul districts expanded cooling shelters and distributed free water and sun umbrellas, while Yangsan expanded water-spraying operations and water distribution.
The heat is straining power systems as electricity consumption is expected to reach record highs in late August due to surging air-conditioning use. Power authorities have activated emergency measures and are closely monitoring supply and demand. The heat wave has also disrupted daily life and entertainment. Over the weekend, the Korea Baseball Organization cancelled games in Busan and Changwon and said further schedule adjustments could be considered if dangerous conditions persist. Local media reported packed beaches, water parks, and riverside recreation areas as residents sought relief.
North Korea is experiencing similar conditions. State media reported heat advisories covering much of the country and said temperatures were approaching 40°C in parts of the country, with Pyongyang experiencing a fifth straight tropical night. The state media also reported that tens of thousands of people had visited the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Zone during July, and water parks in Pyongyang were packed according to state television. South Korea's weather agency warned that temperatures could rise further in western regions this week.
The heat wave spreading across the Korean peninsula represents an intensification of conditions that began in mid-May, with the Korea Meteorological Administration data showing the southeast city of Yangsan has now set a 122-year record. What began as a regionally concentrated crisis in South Korea's southeast has now expanded northward and westward into the Seoul metropolitan area and other western regions, prompting forecasters to warn of further temperature rises this week. The scale of the human toll—14 deaths and 1,889 heat-related illnesses since mid-May—underscores the urgency of the government's decision to raise its heatwave alert to the second-highest level and unlock emergency funding.
Beyond the immediate health crisis, the heat wave is straining critical infrastructure. Power authorities have activated emergency measures and are closely monitoring electricity supply and demand as consumption is projected to reach a record high in late August, driven by surging air-conditioning use. The disruption extends to daily life and entertainment: the Korea Baseball Organization cancelled games in Busan and Changwon and signaled willingness to make further schedule adjustments if dangerous conditions continue. In North Korea, state media reports indicate heat advisories covering much of the country will remain in place through the week, with tens of thousands of residents seeking relief at coastal and water park facilities.
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