South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has ordered public agencies to mobilize all available resources after a historic heatwave caused at least 23 deaths and pushed temperatures to a record 42.5C. Local governments are deploying drones to warn elderly farmers, while residents seek refuge in air-conditioned airports.
South Korea is currently battling an unprecedented heatwave that has strained emergency services and prompted government intervention at the highest levels. President Lee Jae Myung formally characterized the weather crisis as a national disaster
during a government response meeting, ordering ministries and local authorities to deploy every available person and resource until temperatures subside.
Record Temperatures and Mounting Casualties Across the Country
The numbers behind the current weather event highlight its severity. Authorities report that at least 23 people have died from heat-related illnesses so far this year, while nearly 2,500 individuals have sought emergency room treatment for heat conditions since mid-May. Temperatures in the southern part of the country soared to a record 42.5C earlier this week. In the southern city of Yangsan, the mercury hit that same historic high of 42.5C on Sunday.
In Seoul, the capital endured another stifling night before what forecasters warned could be one of the hottest days in the city’s modern history. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, overnight temperatures in some neighborhoods barely slipped below 30C. Meteorologists indicate that Typhoon Dolphin, despite posing no direct threat to the country, may be contributing to the scorching conditions. Meanwhile, Seoul’s meteorological administration forecast a 50% probability that temperatures in September and October could continue trending higher than average.
Emergency Measures: Sprinkler Trucks, Free Water, and Drones
Local governments have rolled out aggressive countermeasures to cope with the heat. In Yangsan, fleets of sprinkler trucks roam the streets to spray water onto sun-baked asphalt. Other local authorities have dispatched trucks to public parks, markets, and bus stops to distribute chilled bottled water for free.
Rural regions have adopted more specialized tactics. In North Gyeongsang province, local officials are deploying drones equipped with loudspeakers and thermal imaging cameras to protect farmers, many of whom are elderly. The uncrewed aircraft hover overhead, broadcasting direct safety reminders.
President Lee ordered stricter enforcement of mandatory rest breaks for outdoor workers during the hottest hours of the day, alongside stronger safeguards for vulnerable residents. The national weather agency’s guidance also led to the cancellation of most outdoor events, including the daily changing-of-the-guard ceremony at Seoul’s Gyeongbokgung Palace. The Korea Baseball Organization canceled all 10 games scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday after spectators fainted in the heat, including a fan who collapsed during a game in Incheon.
Airports as Public Shelters and Commuter Tech Innovations
With public spaces overwhelmed, South Korea’s air-conditioned airports have turned into makeshift community shelters. Vulnerable populations, including the homeless and elderly, have gathered at facilities such as Incheon’s largest airport. Local media photographs show individuals resting on benches and platforms with towels serving as makeshift blankets.
Another visitor at Gimpo airport told The Korea Times that he visits regularly with friends whenever the weather gets too hot. Digital innovation has also emerged to help citizens navigate the conditions. An undergraduate student developed a mobile application named Geuneulro—derived from the Korean term for a shaded road—which uses the positions of the sun and shadows cast by buildings and trees to recommend the shadiest walking paths through the city. Developer Yu Min-jun told BBC Korean that he built the tool after struggling with his own daily commute.
Military Parades and Stealth Technology on Display
Amid the weather crisis, the South Korean armed forces also marked Armed Forces Day with a military parade in Seoul. The event commemorated the 75th anniversary of Armed Forces Day, which officially falls on October 1 to mark the date forces crossed the 38th parallel in 1950 during the Korean War. Commemorations were held early due to scheduling conflicts with a national holiday.
The parade showcased ground-based ballistic missiles, land attack cruise missiles, and various uncrewed maritime and air platforms. A notable highlight was a stealthy-shaped flying wing drone. Five of these uncrewed aircraft appeared in the procession, each mounted on a 4×4 Kia Light Tactical Vehicle. Kim Jae Yeop, a senior researcher at the Sungkyun Institute for Global Strategy, noted on social media that the drones are basically for reconnaissance; for now
but added that Kim Jae Yeop stated that it might be improved for capable of attack missions in the future.
While climate experts suggest that daytime highs could begin falling toward 36C starting this weekend, authorities maintain that the broader heatwave will persist, keeping emergency protocols active across all ministries and local governments.
Keep reading
