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Yangsan hits 42.5°C
South Korea recorded its highest temperature since records began more than a century ago, with Yangsan reaching 42.5°C at 1:26pm on Sunday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
“the southeastern city of Yangsan at 1.26pm on Sunday”
Yangsan’s heatwave has persisted with temperatures exceeding 40°C for a fifth consecutive day, and the KMA said the city broke the nation’s 122-year official heat record at 42.5 degrees Celsius.
The KMA said more than 20 localities were under emergency heatwave alerts, a warning category introduced this year, and it defined an emergency alert as a forecast perceived temperature of at least 38°C or an actual temperature of 39°C for one day.
In Seoul, office worker Ju Dong-yeol said he took refuge in a Starbucks with his parents because “It is too hot to be outside doing anything.”
Warnings and public response
The weather agency urged people to “immediately” stop all outdoor activities in affected areas and warned that “indoor spaces without air conditioning are dangerous,” as the heatwave warning remained in effect across southern parts of the country.
The Independent reported that prime minister Han Seongsook said each ministry would use “all available channels, including public broadcasters, emergency text messages, electronic information boards and village broadcasts” to inform the public about heatwave conditions.
The Korea Herald said the Ministry of the Interior and Safety raised its heat wave response to Level 2 on Sunday, while Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon urged employers to halt outdoor work when the perceived temperature reaches 38 C.
In the same period, the Korea Herald said a total of 1,781 people were treated for heat-related illnesses nationwide between May 15 and Friday, and it reported that 13 deaths were suspected of being linked to the heat.
Climate drivers and risks
Al Jazeera said scientists attribute the increasing severity of heatwaves to climate change driven by human activity, describing it as making heatwaves “more frequent, longer-lasting and more intense.”
“Scientists say climate change driven by human activity is making heatwaves”
Al Jazeera also said South Korea’s record temperatures came as extreme weather affected countries across several continents, including Japan where heatstroke alerts were issued for 30 of the country’s 47 prefectures.
The Korea Herald added that forecasters were monitoring Typhoon Dolphin, saying its track could either pull more hot and humid air toward the Korean Peninsula or bring clouds, rain and strong winds that temporarily ease the heat.
The Korea Herald reported that as of Sunday midday, the typhoon had a central pressure of 930 hectopascals and maximum sustained winds of 50 meters per second, and it said the KMA expected the typhoon to weaken near Okinawa but could still maintain maximum sustained winds of about 45 meters per second.
