Extreme temperatures across Japan and the Korean peninsula have led to deaths and illnesses, significantly affecting day-to-day life. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has deemed the heat wave a national disaster and urged officials to take prompt action as extreme weather conditions become normal.
South Korea has recorded its highest temperature since modern weather observations began, with temperatures exceeding 40°C for three consecutive days in parts of the country. In the southeastern inland city of Yangsan, temperatures hit a national record of 42.5°C on Sunday, the highest in 122 years. On Tuesday, authorities issued the first-ever heat wave warning for all of Seoul.
The record-breaking heat has caused over 2,200 heat-related illnesses. Health authorities stated on Wednesday that 21 people have died from heat-related illnesses in South Korea so far this year as the country continues to grapple with the intense heat.