South Korea records its highest-ever temperature of 42.5°C amid severe heatwave

South Korea registered its highest temperature since records began over a century ago, reaching a scorching 42.5 degrees Celsius in the southeastern city of Yangsan. The record-breaking temperature occurred at 1:26 PM on Sunday, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

Yangsan has been at the epicenter of a relentless heatwave, enduring temperatures above 40°C for five consecutive days. Much of the country remains under heat warnings, with numerous cities experiencing daytime temperatures in the high 30s Celsius. The KMA data highlights a significant increase in heatwave days, which have more than doubled in the past five years compared to previous averages.

To better address the escalating temperatures, more than 20 localities were placed under a new emergency heatwave alert category on Sunday. This alert is issued when areas forecast to experience perceived temperatures of 38°C or actual temperatures of 39°C for a full day. The average annual number of heatwave days in South Korea has risen to 19 over the last five years, a stark increase from earlier periods.