South Korea records highest temperature ever as intense heatwave grips the country
South Korea has recorded its highest temperature since national weather records began over a century ago, with the city of Yangsan reaching 42.5C. The Korea Meteorological Administration has issued emergency heatwave alerts for more than 20 localities, warning that indoor spaces without air conditioning are dangerous. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook has ordered local officials to strengthen safety checks and ensure stable power and water supplies. The extreme heat is causing significant disruptions, including 1,781 heat-related illness patients and 13 deaths nationwide. Agricultural reservoirs in South Gyeongsang are facing severe water shortages, and thousands of livestock, including pigs and chickens, have died due to the heat. To mitigate the impact, local governments are implementing measures such as mobile summer shelter buses in Daegu and expanded cooling centers. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency of heatwaves to human-induced climate change and the return of El Niño.