South Korea heatwave causes surge in heat-related illnesses

heatwave South Korea heat-related illness climate change public health

South Korea is facing a severe and prolonged heatwave, with government data revealing that heat-related illness cases during the late summer period have nearly tripled over the past decade. Analysis by the Ministry of Interior’s research institute using data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) shows that the annual average of patients reported from the traditional start of autumn, Ipchu, to the end of August rose from 215 cases (2011–2015) to over 600 cases in more recent years.

In 2024, the impact was particularly high, with 1,299 heat-related illnesses and 12 deaths recorded between Ipchu and late August. Since the government implemented a heat-related illness monitoring system on May 15, a total of 3,089 cases and 26 deaths have been reported.

President Lee Jae-myung has ordered all ministries and local governments to maximize the deployment of personnel and resources to manage the crisis. The extreme weather has also had economic implications, with Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics reporting significant increases in domestic air conditioner sales during the first quarter of 2025.

Meteorologists expect the heatwave to persist through late August, with daytime temperatures ranging between 31–35°C across much of the country.

Entities

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency · Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) · Korean Meteorological Administration · LG Electronics · Lee Jae-myung · President Lee Jae Myung · Samsung Electronics · South Korea

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] The heatwave is impacting the agricultural sector and causing health issues such as dehydration and fatigue. www.ule.co.id · www.cnbcindonesia.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Several regions have experienced tropical nights with temperatures remaining near 30 degrees Celsius throughout the night. www.cnbcindonesia.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Lee Jae-myung stated that extreme heat on an unprecedented scale is occurring daily. www.cnbcindonesia.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Samsung Electronics reported a 50% increase in domestic air conditioner sales in Q1 2025 compared to the previous year. www.cnbcindonesia.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] LG Electronics recorded a 60% increase in domestic air conditioner sales during the same period. www.cnbcindonesia.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Seoul's temperature was forecasted to reach 39 degrees Celsius on Thursday, August 6, 2026. www.cnbcindonesia.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The heatwave in South Korea has resulted in more than 20 deaths. www.cnbcindonesia.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] President Lee Jae-myung ordered all ministries and local governments to maximize the deployment of personnel and resources to combat the heatwave. www.cnbcindonesia.com
[DISPUTED] In 2024, 1,299 people suffered from heat-related illnesses and 12 died from Ipchu to late August. bhaskarlive.in · tennews.in · www.bhaskarhindi.com · www.socialnews.xyz
[● 4 SOURCES] The number of heat-related illness cases reported in late summer nearly tripled in the past 10 years in South Korea. bhaskarlive.in · tennews.in · www.bhaskarhindi.com · www.socialnews.xyz
[● 4 SOURCES] Between 2011 and 2015, the annual average of heat-related patients from Ipchu to late August was 215. bhaskarlive.in · tennews.in · www.bhaskarhindi.com · www.socialnews.xyz
[DISPUTED] The government has reported 3,089 heat-related illness cases including 26 deaths since operating a monitoring system on May 15. bhaskarlive.in · tennews.in · www.socialnews.xyz