South Korea issued its first-ever extreme heat alert on Sunday, targeting the cities of Gyeongsan and Pohang in North Gyeongsang province after temperatures exceeded 35°C on consecutive days and forecasts projected highs above 39°C.
The alert was triggered under revised rules allowing issuance when the heat index reaches 38°C or actual temperatures hit 39°C, even for a single day. Authorities had already elevated the national heat advisory to "warning" level across 116 of 235 special alert zones on Friday, with the Korea Meteorological Administration forecasting daytime highs of up to 37°C through the weekend.
The heat wave compounds disruption from heavy monsoon rains that displaced 758 people, left one missing, and damaged more than 400 infrastructure facilities across the country.