South Korea's record-breaking heatwave and emergency responses in August 2026

Consensus Summary

South Korea is experiencing its worst heatwave on record, with Yangsan recording the country's highest temperature ever at 42.5C on Sunday afternoon, surpassing records dating back more than a century. Temperatures have exceeded 40C for a fifth consecutive day in Yangsan, while cities like Daegu and Busan have seen temperatures in the high 30s. Authorities have issued emergency heatwave alerts for over 20 localities, urging residents to stop all outdoor activities due to perceived temperatures of 38C or actual temperatures of 39C. The heatwave has led to cancellations of outdoor events, including a second consecutive game cancellation in Changwon due to temperatures reaching 39.5C. The situation has also impacted neighboring Japan, where a devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake last week killed 38 people and left 95,000 homes without water, while rescue efforts were hampered by extreme heat. The Guardian notes that Seoul is now bracing for its first severe heatwave warning on Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to hit 38C, and reports that 16 fatalities and over 2,000 heat-related illnesses have been recorded since May. The heatwave is attributed to overlapping high-pressure systems, the foehn phenomenon, and the return of El Niño this year, which occurs every two to seven years. Authorities in Seoul are taking measures such as spraying roads with water and checking on vulnerable residents to mitigate the impact.