First-Ever Severe Heat Alert Issued for Capital Region; Heat-Related Illness Cases Exceed 2,000

As of 11 a.m. today, a severe heat alert was issued for the first time in history for the Seoul metropolitan area, including the southeastern and southwestern parts of Seoul and Gyeonggi Province.

An official from the Korea Meteorological Administration advised, "A severe heat alert has been issued as extreme heat threatening lives is expected, so please take caution."

Prior to the alert, temperatures on bus stop benches exceeded 50 degrees Celsius even in the shade during the day. With perceived temperatures in daily living areas soaring to dangerous levels, parasols and portable fans—now summer essentials—have provided little relief.