Emergency Heat Protocols Triggered in North Gyeongsang
South Korea has activated its first-ever emergency heatwave alert. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) issued the directive for Gyeongsan and Pohang in North Gyeongsang province, mandating that residents avoid outdoor activity and seek shelter as perceived temperatures hit critical thresholds.
Defining the 38-Degree Danger Zone
The government introduced this emergency system earlier this year to combat increasingly frequent and intense summer temperatures. An alert triggers when an area is forecast to reach a perceived temperature of 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) or an actual temperature of 39 C (102.2 F) for at least one day.
KMA agency chief Lee Mi-seon stated during a press briefing that the warning signifies conditions where even healthy individuals face a significantly elevated risk of heat-related illness or death. The agency advises that all outdoor work and activities should stop immediately when these alerts are in effect.
A Sharp Rise in Heatwave Frequency
Climate data from the KMA highlights a clear long-term shift. Over the past five years, the average annual number of heatwave days—defined as days with a maximum temperature of at least 33 C—has more than doubled to 19, compared to just eight days per year in the 1970s.
The trend extends to nighttime as well. “Tropical nights,” defined as nights when the temperature does not drop below 25 C, have climbed from an annual average of four in the 1970s to 14 in recent years. While the emergency alert is a new, localized measure, much of the country, including Seoul, remains subject to standard heatwave warnings, which are issued when perceived temperatures are expected to reach or exceed 35 C for two consecutive days.
Global Warming and the El Niño Factor
South Korea’s move to strengthen its warning system coincides with record-breaking temperatures across the Northern Hemisphere. Scientists attribute these more frequent and intense extreme weather events to human-induced climate change.
The European Union’s Copernicus Marine Service reported that global oceans experienced their hottest June on record, with potential for further highs in the coming months. This trend is exacerbated by the return of El Niño, a natural climate phenomenon that warms Pacific Ocean surface temperatures and typically recurs every two to seven years.
Related reading