KMA Data Show Heatwave Days—when the Mercury Tops 33C—have More Than Doubled to 19 Annually Over the Past Five Years

South Korea recorded its hottest day since modern records began in 1904, with the southeastern city of Yangsan hitting 42.5C on Sunday, the Korea Meteorological Administration said. The heatwave, which has pushed temperatures above 40C for a fifth straight day in Yangsan, prompted authorities to issue an emergency alert urging people to "immediately stop all outdoor activities" and warning that "indoor spaces without air conditioning are dangerous. More than 20 localities were under the new emergency heatwave alert, introduced this year for days forecast to reach 38C perceived or 39C actual.

Residents sought refuge in airconditioned malls and cafes, including 27-year-old office worker Ju Dong-yeol, who told from a Seoul Starbucks, "It is too hot to be outside doing anything. The Korea Baseball Organization canceled a game in Changwon, where temperatures hit 39.5C, citing safety concerns. KMA data show heatwave days—when the mercury tops 33C—have more than doubled to 19 annually over the past five years. Scientists link the intensifying heat to human-induced climate change, compounded this year by El Niño.