South Korea bolsters heatwave response, focusing on elderly and vulnerable workers

South Korea is intensifying its government-wide efforts to manage the ongoing extreme heatwave, even as the traditional start of autumn, 'Ipchu,' approaches. Ministries including Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Health and Welfare, and Employment and Labor have established emergency response units to bolster safety measures for the elderly, agricultural workers, and those working in various indoor and outdoor environments.

The enhanced measures follow a review meeting on heatwave and drought response held on August 6. Official data reveals a stark reality: out of 23 heatstroke deaths this year, 19 were individuals aged 65 or older, accounting for 82.6% of the total. The fatalities were concentrated in rural areas, such as farmlands (7 deaths, 30%), and at indoor and outdoor workplaces (6 deaths, 26.1%).

To address these critical issues, the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSMH) will lead the coordinated response. The Ministry of Agriculture will expand medical support through its 'Rural House Call Bus' program and distribute cooling supplies to elderly farmers. The Ministry of Health and Welfare will increase on-site checks and provide cooling equipment to vulnerable groups, including the elderly living alone, and will inspect the operation of senior centers designated as heatwave shelters. The Ministry of Employment and Labor will focus on supervising compliance with work stoppage guidelines and safety protocols at heat-vulnerable sites like construction and logistics centers.

The CDSMH plans to convene another meeting on August 9 with relevant ministries to review progress and discuss additional measures for a prolonged heatwave. Yoon Ho-joong, head of the CDSMH, pledged to mobilize all administrative resources to ensure the heatwave and drought response plans are effectively implemented on the ground.

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We will mobilize all administrative resources to ensure that the heatwave and drought measures are implemented without disruption at the field level.