South Korea - The Korea Times

Weather service says heat waves to become more severe

Heat waves gripping Korea over the past weeks are expected to intensify in coming days, the state weather service said Wednesday, with daytime highs set to range from 32 degrees Celcius to 38 degrees nationwide. Seogwipo of the southern Jeju Island experienced a 15th consecutive tropical night Tuesday, while Seoul's tropical night entered the 10th consecutive day, the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said. The heat waves will become more severe through this weekend and the temperatures will not cool down at night, as the nation continues to be covered by a double layer of high pressure, the KMA said. On top of the dual influences of the North Pacific high and the Tibetan high, hot and humid southeasterly winds have also been blowing into the peninsula over the past week. The southeasterly winds are expected to blow even stronger due to a typhoon currently moving northwest in the sea southeast of Shanghai, China, the KMA said. Temperatures will soar to 38 degrees in the central city of Daejeon on Wednesday and 36 degrees in both Seoul and the southeastern city of Daegu, the agenc

Jul 30, 2025By Yonhap

Weather service says heat waves to become more severe

Heat wave alert in effect nationwide except Mount Halla on Jeju

A heat wave advisory was issued for the eastern mountainous city of Taebaek on Tuesday, putting all areas nationwide, except for the nation's tallest mountain on the southern island of Jeju, under heat wave alerts. A heat wave advisory is issued when the maximum apparent temperature is expected to remain above 33 degrees Celcius for two or more days, while a heat wave warning is issued when the maximum sensible temperature is likely to stay above 35 degrees, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). With the latest advisory for Taebaek, 181 of the 183 weather alert areas nationwide are either under a heat wave advisory or warning. Only two areas — located in Mount Halla on the southern resort island of Jeju — have not been issued with heat wave alerts. Taebaek is usually relatively cooler than other areas in the nation as it is located in a highland basin at an altitude of 650 meters and surrounded by mountains around 1,000 to 1,600 meters tall. The average maximum temperature in Taebaek for July and August between 1991 and 2020 stood at 25.9 degrees and 26 derees r

Jul 29, 2025By Yonhap

Heat wave alert in effect nationwide except Mount Halla on Jeju

Calls grow for new disaster response model after historic rainfall

The summer of 2025 arrived in Korea not with a gentle hum, but a terrifying roar, as a relentless deluge of record-shattering rainfall unleashed a ferocity unseen in generations. For five consecutive days beginning July 16, torrential rainfall turned ordinary streets into raging rivers, but nowhere was the nightmare more vivid than in Seosan, South Chungcheong Province. There, on July 17, a single hour unleashed 114.9 millimeters of rain — a wall of water so immense it felt, residents recalled, like the sky itself had ruptured. By the time the day surrendered, 413.4 millimeters had fallen upon the stunned city in about 10 hours, an event the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) could only describe with chilling precision: a "once-in-200-years" phenomenon. According to the KMA, nine other cities and counties, including Gwangju (426.4mm), Sejong (324.5mm), Hampyeong (340.5mm), Dangjin (310.0mm) and Cheonan (301.1mm), also experienced record-breaking daily rainfall, levels considered exceptionally rare events by meteorological standards. Yet none of the climate scholars recently con

Jul 29, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Calls grow for new disaster response model after historic rainfall

Sleepless in Korea: Prolonged heat wave brings tropical nights

Nighttime temperatures have remained over 25 degrees Celsius in many parts of the nation as the Korean Peninsula has been gripped by a sweltering heat wave, causing many to have difficulties sleeping. According to the weather agency on Monday, Seoul's nighttime mercury remained at 28.8 degrees the previous night and the city has had nine consecutive days of tropical nights — a phenomenon where overnight lows stay above 25 degrees. Seogwipo on the south side of Jeju Island has experienced 13 consecutive tropical nights. Meanwhile, the low in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, was 30 degrees, constituting an "extreme tropical night" where nighttime temps remain at 30 degrees or higher. Daytime highs also continue to surpass 35 degrees in many parts of the country. The central and local governments are ramping up emergency responses as they battle an unprecedented wave of heat-related health crises, widespread power outages and mass livestock deaths. Heat alerts are blanketing nearly the entire peninsula, with 180 of 183 weather zones — or 98 percent — under a heat wave watch or heat warnin

Jul 28, 2025By Lee Hae-rin

Sleepless in Korea: Prolonged heat wave brings tropical nights

Sweltering heat, heavy rains drive away ‘summer mosquitoes’ in Korea

Korea's notorious summer mosquitoes — normally a constant nuisance throughout July — have been conspicuously less visible this year, with experts attributing the sudden drop in prevalence to an unprecedented early heat wave and heavy rains. According to daily mosquito data provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on Sunday, the city’s mosquito activity index stood at “caution,” classified as Level 2 on the four-phase index. Typically, by mid-July, the index escalates to Level 3 or 4. The index is determined using a combination of the city’s real-time mosquito trapping data ― the number of mosquitoes collected daily at designated locations ― and weather factors such as temperature and humidity from the Korea Meteorological Administration. Mosquitoes are generally active when temperatures are between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. In addition, a climate with regular, periodic rainfall is considered optimal for mosquitoes, as it provides steady breeding sites. But this year, the heat wave arrived earlier than usual, with temperatures surpassing 35 degrees Celsius as early a

Jul 28, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Sweltering heat, heavy rains drive away ‘summer mosquitoes’ in Korea

Experts call for preemptive, systematic responses to ‘killer heat’

A Vietnamese construction worker, just 23 years old and on his first day at a site in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, was found dead while working in scorching heat earlier this month. His body temperature had soared above 40 degrees Celsius ― a clear sign of fatal heat stroke ― by the time other workers found him. The tragedy serves as a stark warning about the dangers of extreme heat. On July 8, the day after the death, Seoul recorded a daytime high of 37.8 degrees Celsius ― the highest early July temperature since data collection began in 1907. Temperature in Gumi also went up to as high as 37.2 degrees the same day. The incident was also a sobering reminder that certain groups ― such as outdoor workers ― are especially vulnerable to the dangers of extreme heat. As climate experts warn that the intensity and frequency of heat waves are only expected to grow more severe in the future, activists are calling for stronger legal protections and targeted policies for those most at risk. “Many migrant workers are unable to quickly understand heat wave alerts because they are se

Jul 27, 2025By Jung Min-ho

Experts call for preemptive, systematic responses to ‘killer heat’

Scorching heat continues to grip Korea; heat wave alert issued nationwide

Most regions in Korea continued to experience scorching heat Saturday, with heat wave alerts issued across the country. As of 1 p.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) had issued heat wave warnings for Seoul, Incheon, Daejeon, Gwangju, Daegu, Busan, the provinces of Gyeonggi and Chungcheong, and other areas. The KMA also issued heat wave advisories for other parts of the country, including some parts of the eastern Gangwon Province, most of the southern resort island of Jeju, and the easternmost islands of Ulleung and Dokdo. A heat wave warning is issued when the maximum apparent temperature is expected to remain above 35 degrees Celsius for two or more days or the heat is expected to cause large-scale damage, while a heat wave advisory is issued when the day's highest sensing temperature is expected to remain at 33 degrees or above for two or more days. The apparent temperature in Seoul had surpassed the 35 degrees mark as of 1 p.m., with the mercury rising above 37 degrees in the north-western city of Paju. The KMA said Saturday's maximum temperatures are expected to range f

Jul 26, 2025By Yonhap

Scorching heat continues to grip Korea; heat wave alert issued nationwide

Stray Kids’ Lee Know melts hearts with story of his three rescue cats, Soondoongdori

Good looks and talent are a given for many idols. But when kindness and compassion come into the mix? That’s when fans can’t help but gush — and that’s exactly how we feel about Lee Know of Stray Kids. Stray Kids, the self-producing boy band under JYP Entertainment, debuted in March 2018 and is heading into its seventh year. Known for its signature style with hits like "MANIAC," "S-Class," and "Chk Chk Boom," the group’s sound is crafted entirely by its in-house production team 3RACHA. Lee Know is the group’s main dancer and vocalist, adding flavor to their songs with his graceful moves and smooth voice. He’s also made a name for himself in variety TV, appearing as an MC on MBC’s “Show! Music Core” and as a regular panelist on TVING’s “Idol Dictation Contest 2.” But beyond the stage, what truly sets Lee Know apart is his giving spirit. In an interview, he once said, “It’s better to live well together than to live well alone.” Fans have spotted him wearing a UNICEF donor ring, earrings supporting polar bear conservation and LGBTQ+ rights, and various acces

Jul 26, 2025By Hankookilbo

Stray Kids’ Lee Know melts hearts with story of his three rescue cats, Soondoongdori

Heat wave warning reissued for Seoul after 11 days

A heat wave warning was issued for all of Seoul on Thursday, putting the capital city back under the highest-level heat notice for the first time in 11 days, the state weather agency said. A heat wave warning is issued when the maximum apparent temperature is expected to remain above 35 degrees Celsius for two or more days or the heat is expected to cause large-scale damage, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The warning took effect for Seoul at 10 a.m. Previously a heat wave warning was in place over Seoul from July 7-13, when the notice was brought down a notch to an "advisory," which is issued when the maximum apparent temperature is forecast to remain above 33 degrees for at least two consecutive days. Of the 183 weather zones on land, 126, or 69 percent, are currently under a heat wave warning, while 51 (28 percent) are under a heat wave advisory, the KMA said. The maximum temperature Thursday is expected to range from 32 degrees to 36 degrees. On Friday, it is set to range from 31 degrees to 37 degrees; on Saturday, 32 degrees to 38 degrees; and on Sunday, 31 degre

Jul 24, 2025By Yonhap

Heat wave warning reissued for Seoul after 11 days

Death toll rises to 23 after heavy rains, landslides

Four more people have been confirmed dead after last week's heavy rains that triggered floods and landslides, bringing the total number of deaths to 23, the interior ministry said Thursday. Authorities discovered the bodies of three people missing in the southern county of Sancheong and another in the northern county of Gapyeong after heavy downpours battered the country between Wednesday and Sunday, according to the ministry's daily safety notice. With the discovery, the number of those missing decreased to five from nine. By region, 13 people have been killed in South Gyeongsang Province, six in Gyeonggi Province, three in South Chungcheong Province and one in the southwestern city of Gwangju. The government is now focusing on recovery efforts, with 50.7 percent of the 12,791 public facilities and private property reported damaged having undergone emergency restoration work. A total of 15,649 people have taken shelter due to the heavy rains through Saturday, with 2,243 people yet to return to their homes. A heat wave has swept the country after last week's downpours, with 136 heat-relate