South Korea activated its first emergency heatwave alert under a new system designed to respond to increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves.
South Korea, Jul 12, 2026: South Korea issued its first-ever emergency heatwave alert on Sunday under a new warning system launched this year.
The new warning system was introduced to better deal with a rising number of heatwaves in South Korea, which have become longer and more intense.
An emergency heatwave alert is triggered when forecast temperatures in a heatwave-hit area are expected to reach a perceived 38 degrees Celsius or an actual 39 degrees Celsius for at least one day.
The new system comes as Europe endures a scorching summer, after a June heatwave shattered temperature records across the continent.
Authorities advised residents to suspend outdoor work and exercise, seek air-conditioned or shaded areas, remain hydrated, and avoid leaving children, older adults, or pets inside parked vehicles under any circumstances.
Image (ktl10xktl10xktl1.png) : An AI Generated photograph of pedestrians in Seoul navigating intense midday heat alongside an electronic street sign. (courtesy: Prasar Bharati Shabd)
