A beachgoer shields themselves from the sun at Gwangalli Beach in Suyeong District, Busan, July 30. Yonhap
President Lee Jae Myung instructed the government Thursday to mobilize all of its resources to minimize damage from a record-breaking heat wave gripping the nation.
Lee issued the order at a meeting with relevant ministers and heads of local governments as temperatures climbed to near 40 C in many parts of the country, with the southeastern city of Yangsan posting the highest recorded temperature of 42.5 C on Sunday.
Thousands of people had visited hospitals and 21 people had died from heat-related illnesses as of Wednesday, according to health authorities.
"The heat wave is highly likely to continue for some time, so the government must with exceptional resolve activate a comprehensive response system until the heat wave eases," Lee said at the meeting at the government complex.
