South Korea Elevates Heatwave Alert to Severe Level and Mobilises Disaster Headquarters

On July 27, South Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety raised the heat‑wave disaster warning to the highest "Severe" stage and activated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. The ministry directed national and local authorities to prioritize protection of vulnerable groups such as the elderly, homeless, and outdoor workers, expanding cooling shelters, supplying refrigeration equipment, and increasing monitoring of outdoor work sites and agricultural areas.

In Gwangju's Gwangsan‑gu district, officials launched an intensive local response, operating a dedicated heat‑wave disaster safety office, deploying mobile cooling stations, expanding "ice water" refrigerators, and using drones to monitor rural fields during peak heat hours. The district also provided ventilation fans for livestock facilities and coordinated health‑check visits for at‑risk residents. Both national and district actions emphasize immediate cessation of outdoor activities in affected zones and encourage the public to stay hydrated and seek cooler environments.