Children play by water fountains in Jongno District, central Seoul, on May 10. [NEWS1]
Korea is bracing for an early and intense summer. As temperatures circled 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) nationwide on Thursday, the government is set to launch its heat-related illness surveillance system five days ahead of schedule.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said the system, which involves more than 500 medical institutions nationwide, will run from Friday through Sept. 30. It tracks heat-related cases among emergency room patients and publishes daily figures. Heat illnesses — which include heatstroke and heat cramps — can cause dizziness, loss of consciousness and in severe cases, death.
The system was originally set to launch next Wednesday, but was moved five days earlier last year as heat waves began arriving sooner due to climate change.
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts above average temperatures for May and June with 50 percent probability, rising to 60 percent in July.
Last year, 4,460 heat illness cases were reported — the second highest since the surveillance system began in 2011 — with 29 estimated deaths. Men accounted for 79.7 percent of cases and those aged 65 and older made up 30 percent of patients. The elderly were particularly vulnerable among fatalities, accounting for 58.6 percent of deaths. Outdoor worksites and farmland were the most common locations, and cases were most frequent between 2 and 5 p.m.
Health authorities urged the public to check temperatures before going outside, avoid outdoor activities during peak heat hours, wear hats or use parasols, rest frequently and drink water regularly. Children, older adults and people with chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes are especially at risk, and should not be left alone in enclosed spaces such as cars or poorly ventilated homes.
KDCA also began offering a new three-day heat illness risk forecast on Monday, breaking down risk levels into four categories by region on its website.
"Heat waves can cause serious health damage even over a short period," said KDCA director Lim Seung-kwan. "I urge everyone to follow heat illness prevention guidelines — stay hydrated and avoid outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day."
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
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