A person walks shirtless at Banpo Hangang Park in Seocho District, southern Seoul, on July 29.YONHAP
"Life-threatening" heat has struck the southern peninsula, which suffered the highest temperatures in 122 years as daytime highs surpassed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit).
The temperature in Yangsan climbed to 40.3 degrees Celsius, surpassing 40 degrees for the first time, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). The reading broke the previous record of 39.3 degrees Celsius set just three days earlier on Sunday.
Busan reached 38.8 degrees Celsius,its highest temperature since weather observations began in 1904. The reading surpassed the previous record of 37.3 degrees, set on Aug. 14, 2016, by 1.5 degrees.
Emergency warnings, the highest level of heat wave advisory, remained in effect for Yangsan, Gimhae, Miryang, Uiryeong and Changnyeong in South Gyeongsang.
“The extreme heat in South Gyeongsang has reached life-threatening levels,” the KMA warned. “All nonessential outdoor activities and work should be suspended or postponed. People should move to cool places, drink water and check on the safety of family members, neighbors and others around them.”
The heat also continued to intensify in Seoul. Temperatures reached 35 degrees Celsius in some areas, including Gangnam and Nowon districts.
Screens at the Korea Meteorological Administration headquarters in Dongjak District, southern Seoul, display the current temperature on July 28.YONHAP
At 11 a.m. Wednesday, the KMA upgraded heat wave advisories to warnings in southeastern, northeastern and southwestern Seoul. A heat wave advisory remained in effect for the northwestern part of the city.
It was the second heat wave warning issued in the capital this summer. A warning is issued when the daily maximum apparent temperature is expected to reach at least 35 degrees Celsius for two or more consecutive days.
The extreme heat is expected to spread nationwide. A North Pacific high-pressure system in the lower and middle atmosphere has combined with a hot, dry Tibetan high-pressure system in the upper atmosphere to trap heat over the Korean Peninsula, a phenomenon known as a heat dome.
Tropical nights are also likely across most of the country.
“Temperatures are unlikely to fall sufficiently overnight for the time being, so tropical nights are expected in many areas,” a KMA official said. “People should use air conditioners and fans to keep indoor temperatures cool and drink plenty of water before going to bed, while avoiding caffeine and alcohol.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
