South Korean President Calls Heatwave a National Disaster

Pedestrians walk along a mist-spraying zone to cool off on a street in Seoul on August 3, 2026, as a scorching heat wave continues to grip South Korea. South Korea registered its highest temperature since records began more than a century ago on August 2, as authorities warned people to “immediately” stop all outdoor activities in affected areas. Jung Yeon-je / AFP via Getty ImagesSouth Korean President Lee Jae-myung has called the record heatwave sweeping across the peninsula a national disaster, with the death toll reaching 19.“Considering the current situation as a state disaster, utmost efforts should be made to protect people’s lives by taking necessary measures promptly and thoroughly,” Lee told officials during a cabinet meeting on Aug. 4, according to the Yonhap News Agency.Lee instructed officials to inspect electricity systems to ensure they can cope with the increased demand for air conditioning.Electricity consumption is expected to reach a record high in late August.The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued its first-ever heatwave warning for parts of Seoul ​on Aug. 3, extending it to the whole capital city on Aug. 4.The KMA advised citizens to cease outdoor activities, move immediately to a cool place, such as the shade or a cooling center, and drink plenty of fluids.Residents are also urged to check on family, the elderly, and neighbors.According to Yonhap, the KMA said it recorded a temperature of 108.5 degrees Fahrenheit in the southeastern city of Yangsan on Aug. 2, the highest temperature measured since modern weather observation began in Korea in 1904.On Aug. 4, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said fatalities as a result of the heatwave had risen to 19, including 13 people aged 80 and older.Local Authorities RespondDistrict administrators in Seoul have expanded cooling shelters and are distributing free water and umbrellas to guard against the sun.The city of Yangsan has expanded water distribution to the public, including water-spraying operations.Sports events have been canceled across the country.Villagers wait for free meals at a jjokbang village, a housing district with tiny single rooms, during the first-ever severe heatwave warning in Seoul, South Korea, on Aug. 4, 2026. Kim Hong-Ji/ReutersOver the ​weekend, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) canceled a game in Changwon due to the heat. The KBO said on Aug. 4 that it will continue to assess whether games should be postponed or canceled, with weather warnings across the country still in effect.Other parts of the world have also been experiencing heatwaves this summer, including Europe and the United States.The U.S. Forest Service warned of extreme heat and increased wildfire risk this past week in most of inland Southern California.Reuters contributed to this report.