SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea is grappling with a severe public health emergency as relentless heatwaves have caused a staggering surge in heat-related illnesses, with officials reporting over 3,000 cases and 28 deaths so far this year.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced on Friday that the country has recorded 3,019 heat-related cases as of Wednesday, marking the second-highest number on record, surpassed only by the 4,526 cases reported in the scorching summer of 2018.
This year’s tally has already surpassed the 2,818 cases reported during the entire May-to-September period last year, underscoring the intensity and duration of the current heatwave gripping the nation.
“The relentless heat waves, combined with an alarming frequency of tropical nights, have created a public health crisis of unprecedented proportions,” said Dr. Eun-mi Choi, a senior official at the KDCA.
Tropical nights, defined as nights when the temperature does not drop below 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit), have reached a record high in the capital city of Seoul, with 36 such nights recorded so far this summer as of Friday. This includes a punishing stretch of 33 consecutive tropical nights, the longest such period since modern meteorological observations began in 1907.
“The intensity and duration of this heatwave is truly extraordinary, and it’s taking a devastating toll on the health and well-being of our citizens,” said Kim Yong-ik, a meteorologist at the Korea Meteorological Administration.
With the heatwave forecast to persist through early September, health authorities are urging the public to take immediate precautions, including staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activities, and seeking refuge in air-conditioned spaces.
“This is a life-threatening situation that requires our collective vigilance and action,” said Dr. Choi. “We must do everything in our power to protect the most vulnerable members of our society and mitigate the devastating impacts of this unprecedented heatwave.”
