South Korea implements safety measures for heat wave

The South Korean government has intensified safety measures and emergency protocols to protect vulnerable populations from an ongoing heat wave. While the highest-level heat warnings have been lifted in some areas, temperatures remain near 35 degrees Celsius in many regions.

Authorities are focusing on high-risk groups, including elderly farmers, migrant workers, and the disabled. To address language barriers for foreign seasonal workers, officials have distributed heat stroke prevention manuals translated into 18 languages. The Ministry of Labor is planning inspections of construction sites and may enforce mandatory work stoppages during peak temperatures.

In local districts like Gwangjin-gu, measures include providing cooling supplies, operating smart shelters, and offering air conditioning subsidies to low-income households. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 203 new cases of heat-related illness on a single Sunday, bringing the total to 3,090 cases and several deaths.