[REVISION HISTORY]

South Korea heat wave 2026

Updated 2 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-08 11:29 UTC → 2026-08-09 20:32 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The heat wave that began on Jeju Island in late July 2026 spread nationwide by early August, driving a sharp rise in heat‑related illnesses. Between early August and the end of the month, 1,299 people required treatment and 12 deaths were recorded, far above the 2012‑2015 average of 3.3 deaths per year. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported that, since the monitoring system started on 15 May, a cumulative 3,089 cases and 26 deaths have been logged. Government data show that heat‑related illness cases have nearly tripled over the past decade: an average of 215 cases during the traditional "Ipchu" period (2011‑2015) rose to 658 in 2016‑2020 and remained around 638 in 2021‑2025. In addition to public health concerns, the extreme weather has impacted the commercial sector. Leading manufacturers have seen significant spikes in demand for cooling products; Samsung Electronics reported a 50% increase in domestic air conditioner sales in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, while LG Electronics recorded a 60% increase. Forecasts predict daytime temperatures of 31‑35 °C to persist through late August, ~~prompting~~ with some areas potentially reaching 39 °C. This has prompted the health ministry to maintain advisories on hydration, limited outdoor activity between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and loose cotton clothing, especially for the elderly and children. President Lee ~~Jae Myung also~~ Jae-myung has ordered ministries and local governments to maximize resources to manage the crisis and pledged to review housing and welfare policies that may disadvantage young married couples in light of the ongoing heat stress.

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