South Korea heatwave intensifies, doubling illnesses and deaths in 10 days

South Korea is grappling with a severe heatwave, as heat-related illnesses and deaths surge across the country. In the Gyeongnam region alone, the number of heat illness cases in the past 10 days has more than doubled compared to the preceding 10-day period, reaching 85 cases. This surge accounts for nearly half of the 175 cumulative cases reported this year in the region.

Nationwide, the situation is equally alarming. The last 10 days saw 751 reported heat illness cases, a near doubling from the 381 cases recorded in the prior 10-day span. Tragically, nine of the 14 estimated heat-related deaths nationwide occurred within this recent 10-day period, with Gyeongnam reporting the highest regional toll at three deaths.

“

External temperatures are high, and indoor spaces without ventilation can be more dangerous.

The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) is operating an emergency room surveillance system, collecting daily data from 516 medical institutions. However, officials caution that the actual number of fatalities could be higher, as the system relies on voluntary reporting and does not include deaths discovered after the fact without emergency room intervention.

“

Especially for the elderly or those with underlying conditions, their ability to regulate body temperature may be diminished, so they need to pay extra attention to safety.

While outdoor activities are the primary source of heatstroke, indoor environments are not immune. Research indicates that when daily temperatures exceed 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit), the proportion of heatstroke cases occurring at home nearly doubles. This highlights the danger of unventilated homes, even for those who cannot afford to run air conditioning constantly.

KDCA official Ahn Yoon-jin emphasized the particular vulnerability of the elderly and individuals with chronic health conditions. "Indoor spaces without ventilation can be more dangerous when the outside temperature is high," she stated. "Especially for the elderly or those with underlying conditions, their ability to regulate body temperature may be diminished, so they need to pay extra attention to safety."

“

Water, shade, and rest.

Authorities have declared the heatwave, with perceived temperatures exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, as "life-threatening." The KDCA urges strict adherence to basic safety measures: "water, shade, and rest." They advise minimizing outdoor activities, seeking cool environments like public shelters, and drinking plenty of water. The Ministry of Employment and Labor has also strongly recommended suspending all outdoor work except for emergency operations during the extreme heat.

“

Outdoor work should be suspended except for emergency operations.