New national heat records were set on July 31, Aug. 1 and Aug. 2, with temperatures soaring up to 42.5 deg C, leading to nearly 300 people being hospitalized, according to the health authorities.
The sweltering heatwave continued on Aug. 3, albeit without breaking the weekend’s all-time record.
But the Korea Meteorological Administration issued its first "severe heatwave warning" for Seoul, saying some districts in the city of nine million people could expect more roasting temperatures to come.
People cool off in Cheonggyecheon stream in Seoul during a heatwave on Aug. 3, 2026. Photo by AFP
The agency said that Aug. 3 marked the second consecutive day when the apparent, or "feels like", temperature in some districts reached 35 deg C – and forecast figures as high as 38 deg C from 11 a.m. local time on Aug. 4.
