Extreme heat in South Korea: A disaster for the vulnerable, demanding mandatory work cessation

The intense summer heat in South Korea has become a "disaster," akin to the hardship described in Kim Ae-ran's novel "One of the Two is a Lie," where even a small snowflake can be devastating for those in poverty. This year, record-breaking temperatures, with the mercury hitting 42.5°C in Yangsan on August 2, have made the relentless sun a source of peril.

According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, as of August 2, 2025 heat-related illnesses had been reported, resulting in 16 deaths. The majority of these cases, 78.6%, occurred outdoors in places like workplaces and fields, underscoring the extreme danger faced by those who cannot escape the heat.

Even indoors, inadequate cooling poses a significant risk. Data from the National Disaster and Safety Research Institute indicates that heatstroke risk doubles in homes when temperatures exceed 38°C. This is particularly critical for individuals living in facilities without proper air conditioning, such as vinyl greenhouses or tiny rooms, and for the elderly, whose risk of death increases by 19% when perceived temperatures surpass 38°C.

In response to the escalating crisis, the Korea Meteorological Administration introduced a new "severe heatwave warning" this year. This highest-level alert is issued when perceived temperatures exceed 35°C for two consecutive days, with forecasts predicting temperatures above 38°C or highs of 39°C for the following day. While the recommended actions include suspending or postponing outdoor activities and moving to cool indoor locations, the article questions the effectiveness of these "recommendations" for those whose livelihoods depend on daily work.

Delivery drivers, contract workers, and farmers, whose earnings are directly tied to their ability to work, find it difficult to simply stop working based on advisories. This has fueled calls for mandatory cessation of outdoor work during severe heatwave warnings, emphasizing that the current guidelines are insufficient to protect workers facing extreme environmental conditions.

“

Poverty is when even a single snowflake falling from the sky can break your head. When a small incident becomes a disaster. When recovery is difficult.