Chae Young-sun, a 69-year-old retired government employee living in the South Korean city of Gwangju, has stopped taking daily walks since a searing heatwave began gripping most parts of the country more than a month ago.“I’m worried about my health because it’s simply too hot to go for a walk,” he said.“Yesterday afternoon, I finally summoned the courage to take a short walk around my neighbourhood. Even though I stayed under the awnings of a market, I was sweating profusely and had to seek refuge in an air-conditioned pharmacy.”His caution is understandable. Since mid-May, about 2,200 people in South Korea had been diagnosed with heat-related illnesses while 19 had died, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Tuesday.On July 31, South Korea recorded its hottest day on record when the mercury level rose to 41.4 degrees Celsius in the southeastern city of Yangsan, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration.Calling on Thursday for the mobilisation of all available personnel and resources to combat the heatwave, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stressed the need to protect lives and implement stronger safeguards for vulnerable residents.