Hongcheon hits 41 degrees, record high in Korean history

By Kim Jae-heun

The temperature in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, reached 41 degrees Celsius Wednesday, the highest temperature since the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) began collecting data.

According to the KMA, the mercury hit 40.1 degree as of 1:59 p.m., and rose up by 0.2 degrees every two minutes to hit the record.

The modern weather system was adopted in Busan and Incheon in 1904 and Seoul in 1907. The previous record was set in Daegu on Aug. 1, 1942, when the temperature reached 40 degrees.

Seoul also suffered its worst heat wave with its mercury rising up to 39.6 degree. The previous record was 38.4 degrees on July 24, 1994.

The meteorological observatory in Songwol-dong, Jongno-gu, measured the temperature in Seoul as of 1:30 p.m. at 38.5 degrees, which rose up by 0.1 degrees every minute afterward.

“This is ridiculous. I think I am living in a tropical country,” 30-year-old businessman Cho Hyun-soo said. “I just came from my break in Bangkok, and it was 34 degrees there. The weather in Southeast Asia is much cooler than in Korea. I don't know where I am living.”

The heat wave has been continuing to thrive across the country after the rainy season ended earlier than usual on July 11.

The KMA forecasts no rain in the country anytime soon.