South Korea's 'monster heat wave' sickens more than 1,100 people in one week
By SCN NEWS DESK
SEOUL — South Korea is grappling with an unprecedented "monster heat wave" that has left 1,146 people suffering from heat-related illnesses in just one week, marking the highest weekly total since nationwide records began in 2011.
According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), emergency rooms across the country treated a record number of patients for conditions including heatstroke, heat exhaustion and heat-related dehydration as extreme temperatures continued to grip the nation.
The latest figures surpass the previous weekly record set during South Korea's devastating 2018 heat wave, which was among the country's deadliest periods of extreme summer weather.
Death toll rises
Since the KDCA activated its annual heat illness surveillance system on May 15, a total of 2,872 people have been diagnosed with heat-related illnesses.
While the number of patients remains slightly below the 3,321 cases recorded during the same period last year, officials say the situation is becoming increasingly severe.
The heat wave has already claimed 23 lives, two more than were reported during the same period in 2025.
Elderly at greatest risk
Health authorities warned that people aged 80 and older remain the most vulnerable to extreme heat.
Older adults, outdoor workers and individuals with chronic medical conditions face a significantly higher risk of heatstroke, dehydration and other potentially life-threatening complications.
Officials are urging residents to remain indoors during the hottest hours of the day, drink plenty of water and regularly check on elderly family members and neighbors.
Hospitals under pressure
The KDCA monitors heat-related illnesses through 516 emergency departments nationwide, collecting daily data on patients seeking treatment for heat-related medical emergencies.
Doctors say many patients are arriving with symptoms ranging from dizziness and exhaustion to severe heatstroke requiring intensive care.
The government has expanded public heat warnings and emergency response measures as forecasters predict the unusually hot conditions could persist.
Climate concerns grow
Meteorologists attribute the prolonged heat to persistent high-pressure systems and unusually warm atmospheric conditions across East Asia.
Climate scientists warn that extreme heat waves are becoming more frequent and intense as global temperatures continue to rise, increasing health risks and placing greater strain on healthcare systems.
Why It Matters
South Korea's record-breaking heat wave highlights the growing human cost of extreme weather. With heat-related illnesses and deaths already exceeding last year's pace, authorities face mounting pressure to protect vulnerable populations as climate-driven heat events become increasingly common across Asia.