Seoul Endures Sweltering Heatwave: Elderly and Workers Struggle to Cope

Seoul is grappling with a severe heatwave, pushing vulnerable populations like the elderly and outdoor workers to their limits. Temperatures in the Jongno-gu district reached 31.8 degrees Celsius on a recent morning, with a perceived temperature of 33 degrees and high humidity creating stifling conditions.

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Some people come out at 6 a.m. There are many places that give food around here. If you eat and rest in the subway, and take a walk in the morning, it's bearable.

Elderly residents seeking free meals at Tapgol Park described waking early to join long queues. "Some people come out at 6 a.m.," said one 80-year-old, who relies on free meals and subway stations for respite. Many find the air-conditioned subway system a temporary refuge from the oppressive heat, with some traveling to Incheon and back just to stay cool, as running air conditioners at home incurs prohibitive electricity costs.

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I'm afraid of the electricity bill, so I endure it with a shower using tap water. Because of the heat, my stamina is low, so I just take the lunch box and go straight home.

Outdoor workers face similar challenges. Parking attendants near a department store in Jung-gu wore ice coolers around their necks and used umbrellas while continuously drinking ice water. Despite using cooling fans, the intense heat radiating from the asphalt made their jobs arduous. Taxi driver Kwon, 69, who works the morning shift, noted that cooling vests can be ineffective in extreme heat, sometimes circulating hot air.

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I came out around 10:30 a.m. and all I do is eat and rest in the shade of the pavilion. Many people take the subway to Incheon and back to avoid the heat.

Seoul has issued a heatwave warning across the entire city, with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reporting over 1,700 heat-related illnesses nationwide, a significant portion affecting those aged 65 and older. The extreme conditions highlight the daily struggle for survival for many in the capital.

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Even with a vest that lets air out, only hot air comes in, making it even hotter. I sweat so much that I worry about smelling to passengers, so I go straight home without working on days like this.