South Korea declared a nationwide heat emergency on Sunday as temperatures hit
record highs in the southeast. The Korea Meteorological Administration issued a
severe heat warning for southern regions at 1:00pm local time. Yangsan in South
Gyeongsang province recorded 42.5°C (108.5°F), the highest reading since
observations began in 1904. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook ordered agencies to
rapidly inform the public using all available channels, including public
broadcasting, emergency SMS, electronic signage and village loudspeakers. The
Interior Ministry will dispatch bureau-level officials to the Seoul metropolitan
area, South Gyeongsang and other southern regions to oversee operations,
evaluate local heat-response measures and identify needs for additional support.
