S. Korea swelters under relentless heat, leaving at least 8 dead

Scorching heat continues to grip South Korea, with temperatures soaring well above 35 degrees nationwide.

More than 200 people suffered from heat-related illnesses just today, an unprecedented number compared to previous years.

Our Park Hyobeen reports.

Another sweltering day swept South Korea.

In Paju City, Gyeonggi-do Province, the mercury hit over 39 degrees Celsius, and Seoul wasn't far behind at 36 degrees.

It was just as hot as Tuesday, which marked the hottest July day in 118 years.

"Actually, today is better than yesterday, but it's still so warm. I'm sweating a lot. It's still so hot. "

"It's really hot. It's really humid. It's hard to do anything outside."

"People are trying to cool off at places like this stream. It was already 35 degrees at 5 PM in Seoul, and the heat is expected to continue overnight. That means another tropical night, Seoul's 11th in a row."

The Korea Meteorological Administration has issued heat wave warnings for most regions, including Seoul.

These alerts are issued when the "feels-like" temperature is expected to remain above 35 degrees for more than two days.

The extreme temperatures are taking a toll on lives.

As of 4 PM Wednesday, eight people have died from heat-related causes this summer.

Over 1,200 heat illness cases have been reported so far, more than double the number from the same period last year.

More than 200 people were affected just today, a sharp increase compared to previous years.

In response, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held an emergency meeting on Tuesday morning to discuss countermeasures.

Officials are stepping up real-time monitoring and prioritizing protection for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, outdoor workers and farmers.

They're also urging people to stay indoors between noon and 5 PM, stay hydrated, and seek help immediately if they experience dizziness or headaches, which are common signs of heat-related illnesses.

Meanwhile, a bit of relief is also expected, with some rain in the forecast for parts of the country later today.

Park Hyobeen, Arirang News.