Seoul heatwave strains sewing factories and markets while boosting cafe sales

A record-breaking heatwave in Seoul has left small sewing factories without air‑conditioning, forcing workers to endure long shifts in temperatures well above the set 26 °C. Workers such as Park Jung‑hoon (58) said they have no rest time and must keep the fan running despite heavy dust that can cause occupational lung disease. The extreme heat has also reduced orders for ready‑made clothing, further squeezing factory income.

Nearby traditional markets have seen foot traffic drop, with vendors like Yoon Mi‑hyang (64) reporting fewer customers and higher waste, while electricity and cooling costs rise. Some market stalls have added fans and ice water to keep food from spoiling, and labor costs have increased.

Conversely, cafés and ice‑cream shops have experienced a surge in customers, with one café reporting a 30 % sales increase over June and all 60 seats filled. These businesses cite higher revenues that offset the extra cooling expenses.