South Korea battles extreme heatwave as temperatures top 39°C and heat‑related illnesses rise
A severe heatwave is sweeping South Korea, with the Korea Meteorological Administration reporting apparent temperatures exceeding 38 °C in several regions on July 26, including 38.3 °C in Gwangyang and Yangsan. Forecasts for July 27 predict that Daegu, Gyeongsan, and neighboring areas will also see temperatures above 38 °C, prompting the agency to issue a “severe heat warning” (폭염중대경보) for the affected districts.
The extreme heat has already caused a surge in heat‑related illnesses. Health officials have recorded more than 1,200 cases nationwide, including five fatalities, while the Gyeongsangnam‑do province alone counted 112 cases with two deaths. Two separate incidents were highlighted: a 30‑year‑old Thai worker in Haenam who collapsed and died, and a 100‑year‑old woman in Wanju who was found dead after a heat episode. Local authorities have urged residents to stay indoors during peak heat, hydrate frequently, and use cooling centers. Temperatures of 39.3 °C were observed in Yangsan and Miryang, marking the highest readings in the country this summer. The weather service expects the heatwave to continue through the week, with nightly temperatures remaining high enough to produce widespread “heat‑stay” (열대야) conditions.
Entities: Daegu · Gyeongsang region · Gyeongsangnam‑do · Korea Meteorological Administration · South Korea
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Forecasts for July 27 predict temperatures above 38 °C in Daegu, Gyeongsan and other parts of the Gyeongsang region.
- [● 3 SOURCES] A severe heat warning (폭염중대경보) was issued for Daegu, Gyeongsan and surrounding areas.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Heatwave warnings are expected to continue through the week, with forecasts of nighttime temperatures remaining high enough to cause heat‑stay (열대야).
- [● 2 SOURCES] On July 26 the Korea Meteorological Administration reported the highest apparent temperature of 38.3 °C in Gwangyang and Yangsan.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Nationwide, as of July 23, 1,232 heat‑related illness cases were reported, with five deaths.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Temperatures of 39.3 °C were recorded in Yangsan and Miryang, the highest in the country this summer.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Two deaths were reported due to heat‑related illnesses: a 30‑year‑old Thai worker in Haenam and a 100‑year‑old woman in Wanju.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Gyeongsangnam‑do recorded 112 heat‑related illness cases, including two deaths.