News

Sotheby’s to auction largest Martian meteorite found on Earth

2025/07/09 11:37

A Martian meteorite weighing over 24 kilograms is going under the hammer. The specimen, known as NWA 16788, is verified as the largest piece of Mars ever found on Earth. It is estimated to fetch between 2 million and 4 million U.S. dollars at Sotheby's upcoming auction in New York on July 16. Before the sale, the meteorite will be on public display in Sotheby's galleries from July 8 to 15. The rare chunk, which represents more than 6 percent of all Martian material found on Earth, was discovered in Niger in 2023. Though it is unclear exactly when it landed on Earth, minimal weathering suggests a recent fall.

Lamborghini driven by Liverpool's Jota in fatal crash was probably speeding, police report finds

2025/07/09 11:37

Liverpool's Portuguese forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva were likely speeding when the rear tire of their car blew out, causing the crash that killed them both, according to a preliminary report from Spain's Civil Guard on Tuesday. Investigators say a tire imprint analysis suggests Jota, confirmed to be driving, was traveling well above the speed limit of 120 kilometers per hour, while overtaking on a highway near Zamora, Spain, just before midnight on July 3. Evidence indicates that the overspeeding caused the Lamborghini in which they were traveling to veer off the road and crash. The results of the on-site investigation will be sent to the local court before being made public.

Israeli military says it struck key Hamas figure in northern Lebanon

2025/07/09 11:36

Israel has carried out a targeted airstrike in northern Lebanon, reportedly killing a senior Hamas figure, one of the first hits in the region in months. The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that it had struck a "key" Hamas operative traveling in a car near Ay-rou-ni-eh, just south of Lebanon's second-largest city, Tripoli, marking the first targeted assassination in the region since November. Lebanese state media confirmed the strike hit a vehicle, killing at least three people and wounding 13 others. Al Araby TV quoted a Hamas source in Lebanon stating no senior official was killed, though Israel maintains its target was high-ranking. The recent strike came as U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack visited Lebanon amid efforts to disarm Hezbollah. However, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem on Sunday ruled out giving up the group's weapons before Israel withdraws from all of southern Lebanon.

Prince and Princess of Wales welcome Macron as he begins UK state visit

2025/07/09 11:36

Good morning, I'm Choi Chi-hee, and this is the World Now. Beginning in Europe, French President Emmanuel Macron has made a state visit to the United Kingdom, receiving a ceremonial welcome from the British royal family and pledging renewed bilateral relations. SOUNDBITE: Reuters 8264 "The United Kingdom and France must once again show the world that our alliance can make all the difference. Clearly, we have to work together in order to defend an efficient multilateralism " On Tuesday, Macron and First Lady Brigitte began their three-day visit with a full royal welcome at Windsor Castle, greeted by King Charles III , Queen Camilla, Prince William, and Princess Catherine in a horse-drawn carriage procession and Guard of Honor inspection. Macron delivered a rare address to both Houses of Parliament, urging Britain and France to reduce "excessive dependencies" on the U.S. and China, and calling for joint action on defense, migration, climate, and AI. He also announced 1.5 billion U.S. dollars of EDF investment in a UK nuclear plant and a cultural loan deal to bring the Bayeux Tapestry to Britain for the first time in more than 900 years. This is the first state visit by a European leader since Brexit and the first for a French President since 2008.

2025 Korea Season in Spain: Captivating Spain in one dance, "Two Cultures, One Heart"

2025/07/09 11:36

Over in Europe. An annual event aimed at promoting Korean culture is taking place in Spain, and a signature dance performance has become the bridge, bringing the two nations together as one. Our Choi Soo-hyung was there. Spain is a country renowned for its dance and passion. And in its capital, Madrid, stands a cultural landmark, the Matadero Art Theater. There, a special performance unfolded, blending the past and present of Korean dance. A dancer walked through a dream. Traditional Korean sounds, pansori, janggu and jing, filled the space, setting the stage for a soulful dance. The swishing of hanji, Korean traditional paper, mimicked the sounds of waves, telling people what Korean dance is. Modern styles like b-boying, hip-hop and street dance also caught the eye. Through intense movements, dancers told stories of conflict in modern society, showing how far Korean contemporary dance has come. The final stage presented a dynamic blend of tradition and modern emotion, filled with color and energy. And in the encore, the entire audience danced together to the Korean folk song, "Ganggangsullae," a circle dance, as one a true moment of cultural harmony. "Amazing. I enjoyed every second of it, the dancers, the body language, and the expression. At first, I thought I would not understand because we've come from different cultures, we may have different artistic languages, but it was so enjoyable. The expression and the story were super clear." "The performance was amazing. It was a mix between what you can know about contemporary dance and things you didn't know about Korea, but you can interpret or think about." Since 2022, South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has selected one country each year with strong potential for spreading Korean culture, offering a year-long series of cultural programs on site. This year, Spain was chosen. On Friday, July 4, the performance titled "A Dance Between Cultures," showcased the spirit of the 2025 Korea Season. Featuring acclaimed Korean teams recognized both at home and at international festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe, the event brought Korea and Spain together through dance. "Koreans and Spaniards both love music and dance. Through sharing that energy, it's a great way to connect emotions, and open hearts. We wanted to show performances that people would want to see again, even years later, with a more open mind and a positive mindset." Spain's cultural scene also said why dance can play such an important role in helping Spain understand Korea. "It's very funny, we are so far but we have the same system to protect our identity through the culture, through the tradition, through the idea to move the tradition to another way to be, to express. So the past and the future always together, always dancing together." "Under the theme 'Two Cultures, One Heart,' the performance blended Korean traditional and contemporary dance with Spanish artistry, marking a powerful highlight of this year's Korea Season. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News, Madrid.

Samsung set to unveil Galaxy Fold 7, Flip 7 in New York on Wednesday

2025/07/09 11:34

Samsung Electronics is set to unveil its latest foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 and Z Fold 7, at its Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event in Brooklyn, New York,.. at 11 PM Wednesday, Korea time. The South Korean tech giant will showcase its brand-new lineup, including the Z Flip 7, Z Fold 7, and the base model of the Galaxy Watch 8. Samsung highlights the new Fold as its thinnest and lightest yet, with powerful AI capabilities. Also on display are other Galaxy devices, including a new smartwatch with enhanced health-tracking features.

[On-point] Trump threatens extra tariffs, more defense costs on S. Korea. What are the Lee administration's next steps?

2025/07/09 11:34

As we just heard, U.S. President Donald Trump continues to threaten South Korea, by calling on Seoul to pay for its own defense and vowing to impose extra tariffs. For more on this, we're joined by Professor Robert Kelly, Professor of International Relations at Pusan National University. Professor Kelly, thanks for joining us this morning. 1. How do you think the Korean government should handle the issue of sharing the cost of keeping American troops in South Korea? 2. Trump's comments come as South Korea's top security adviser is in Washington for talks on tariffs and a potential summit between the two countries. Could we expect to see President Lee Jae Myung and Trump meet in the near future? 3. Trump has extended the tariff deadline, allowing trade talks to continue for around three more weeks. How do you think the negotiations with South Korea will unfold? 4. What's on the table for trade talks between South Korea and the United States? What leverage does Seoul have? 5. Trump unveiled tariff letters sent to countries on his social media yesterday, and he posted those sent to South Korea and Japan first --before disclosing those sent to other trading partners. What might this suggest? Alright Professor Kelly. Thank you so much for your insight. We appreciate it.

U.S. sanctions N. Korean cyber scheme to generate revenue for Kim regime

2025/07/09 11:33

The United States sanctioned a North Korean individual, accused of running a cyber scheme to allow Pyongyang to use its overseas IT workers to generate revenue for the regime. The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said Tuesday that it had sanctioned Song Kum-hyok, describing him as a "malicious" actor associated with the North's hacking group Andariel. The department accused Song of helping North Korean nationals to be recruited by foreign companies with falsified identities and generating revenue for the North Korean regime. It also sanctioned one Russian national --two Russian entities, and two North Korean entities for allegedly being involved in an IT worker scheme.

[NEWs GEN] K-Classic Phenomenon: How has it captivated audiences both home and abroad?

2025/07/09 09:33

[NEWs GEN] K-Classic Phenomenon: How has it captivated audiences both home and abroad?

Lee vows greater investment in defense industry to make S. Korea global powerhouse

2025/07/08 23:35

South Korea celebrated its first "K-Defense Day" today. Marking the event, President Lee Jae Myung vowed to make more investments in the defense industry to make the country one of the leading global powerhouses in the field. Presidential Office correspondent Yoon Jung-min reports. Celebrating the 1st "K-Defense Day," in the capital on Tuesday, the arms industry was put front and center not only as a key to national defense for the country, technically still at war, but also as the nation's future growth engine. "We plan to make greater efforts to invest in and support the defense industry, so that we can move forward as a global powerhouse in the defense industry." For that, President Lee Jae Myung laid out his vision to develop "competitive" weapons systems involving AI or unmanned robots to keep pace with the changing security dynamics, while calling for broader participation by defense firms regardless of their size, rather than by a small group of large conglomerates. The South Korean leader also vowed to make efforts for intergovernmental security cooperation. Along with government officials, present at the meeting were some 100 representatives of defense firms small and big alike including Hanwha Aerospace to pitch their ideas behind closed doors to help outline related policies. "Participants pointed out the difficulties of securing technology, building infrastructure, and accessing defense data, and urged the need to establish an integrated defense data system." It was no coincidence that the president also called for creating a new control tower to nurture the nation's defense industry earlier in the morning at a Cabinet meeting, also asking participants to review instituting a strategy meeting as a regular event to boost arms exports. Tuesday's discussion comes amid the growing recognition of arms exports with demand on the rise due to the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, often emerging as a centerpiece for diplomacy with the U.S. and the EU among others. Upgrading technology on the battlefield has also been a topic often revisited amid a dwindling population. Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News.

South Korea's economy faces challenges amid trade uncertainty

2025/07/08 23:34

A state-run think tank says South Korea's economy remains at a similarly subdued level as in June, due to continued weakness in the construction sector and worsening external conditions. Park Jun-han has more. The Korea Development Institute reported on Tuesday that South Korea's economy remained subdued, grappling with persistent weaknesses in construction and manufacturing, alongside rising trade uncertainties stemming from U.S. tariff pressure. This assessment was according to the monthly economic trends report released by the state-run think tank. Notably, production in May was hampered by a prolonged contraction in the construction sector, specifically a 20-point-8 percent year-on-year decline. The construction industry is considered a key pillar of domestic demand in South Korea, with a slowdown in the sector potentially weighing heavily on the broader economy. "Construction is closely tied to domestic demand, as it creates jobs and stimulates demand for building materials and nearby restaurants. So when the construction industry slows, that weakness ripples through the broader domestic economy." Despite the domestic downturn, semiconductor production grew by 18-point-1 percent in May. Also, investment in related equipment sustained high growth of 7-point-5 percent. However, overall exports to the U.S. underperformed, growing only 1-point-9 percent, primarily due to a 16-point-1 percent drop in motor vehicle exports, driven by steep U.S. tariffs on automobiles. Given that the United States is one of South Korea's largest export destinations, an economic expert notes that rising tariff tensions may hurt the Korean economy. "I believe the impact of tariff uncertainty on the Korean economy is significant. If the 25% tariff is implemented, it will become more difficult for Korean businesses to export to the U.S. market. As exports decline, wage earners in export-related industries could face job insecurity." However, the KDI pointed to signs of improved stability in the credit market and domestic consumption. It cited the benchmark KOSPI's notable rise in June, a slight dollar depreciation, and policy expectations under the new president as factors behind improved investor sentiment. The institute also emphasized that a gradual easing of high interest rates and stimulus measures in the second supplementary budget aimed at boosting domestic consumption are likely to support a recovery in spending. Park Jun-han, Arirang News.

Stock

2025/07/08 22:54

2025. 7. 8. KOREAN STOCK MARKET KOSPI : 3,114.95 ▲55.48 +1.81% KOSDAQ : 784.24 ▲5.78 +0.74% KOSPI200 : 421.22 ▲8.20 +1.99% ASIAN STOCK MARKET NIKKEI225 : 39,724.90 ▲137.22 +0.35% HANG SENG : 24,148.07 ▲260.24 +1.09% SHANGHAI : 3,497.48 ▲24.34 +0.70% WALL STREET (July 7) DOW JONES : 44,406.36 ▼422.17 -0.94% NASDAQ : 20,412.52 ▼188.58 -0.92% S&P500 : 6,229.98 ▼49.37 -0.79% EXCHANGE RATE USD : 1,367.90 (+0.10) JPY : 936.18 (-6.71) CNY : 190.69 (0.00) EUR : 1,605.50 (-3.51)

S. Korea says worst-case tariffs averted, eyes talks with U.S.

2025/07/08 22:53

Following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement regarding his new tariffs timeline, South Korea's Presidential Office convened a response meeting this afternoon. Our correspondent Song Yoo-jin starts us off. Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose 25-percent tariffs on South Korean imports from August 1st, the Presidential Office says it sees value in having earned more time. "Given how little time there has been after the new administration was launched, we see it as having avoided the worst-case scenario of tariffs going up. We've now secured extra time for negotiations, and National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac is continuing high-level talks in the U.S." In response, Presidential Chief of Policy Kim Yong-beom convened a meeting on Tuesday with the ministries of Industry, Finance, and Foreign Affairs. Kim stressed that although swift negotiations are important, safeguarding South Korea's national interests remains the top priority and urged the ministries to approach tariff talks with that in mind. He noted that market reactions so far have been relatively calm, but called for close monitoring and support measures for sectors likely to be affected, including carmakers and steel producers. Kim added that once National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac returns from the U.S., they will hold a joint meeting to discuss the next steps. Wi, who is on a three-day visit to Washington, D.C., met with his American counterpart, Marco Rubio, on Monday local time. There, the South Korean delegation reiterated the need to arrange a summit between Presidents Lee and Trump as soon as possible to make progress on key issues, to which the U.S. side agreed. On tariffs, Washington expressed hopes for close coordination to reach a deal before they kick in. On the same day, Seoul's top trade negotiator, Yeo Han-koo, also in Washington, met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Yeo called for lowering tariffs on major Korean exports, mainly automobiles and steel, which are currently subject to separate 25-percent and 50-percent duties. He also emphasized Seoul's commitment to bilateral cooperation on manufacturing, describing it as a way to achieve more balanced trade. Yeo and Lutnick are scheduled to continue their talks on Wednesday. "Wi's visit to Washington is set to conclude on Tuesday. More details of his trip are expected once he returns to Seoul. Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.

[Weather] Heat waves around the western regions until later this week

2025/07/08 22:51

In Seoul, tropical nights have appeared for nine consecutive days, and daytime temperatures reached 36 degrees Celsius, leading to the hottest heat wave this summer. While heat wave warnings and advisories were issued in western regions, the feels-like temperatures soared to 30 to 38 degrees in most parts of the country. Meanwhile, the east coast and the coastal areas of the Gyeongsang-do provinces will be able to take a break from the scorching heat for a while. In particular, the temperature on the east coast, including Gangneung, is expected to drop below 30 degrees Celsius from today. Tomorrow morning, Seoul will start warm at around 27 degrees, Chuncheon, Daegu and Gyeongju 23 degrees. Daily highs will move up to 36 degrees in Gwangju, 31 degrees in Jeju. Severe heat waves and tropical nights in the western parts of the country are expected to continue until later this week. That's all for Korea. Here are the weather conditions around the world.

2025 Korea Season in Spain: Captivating Spain in one dance, "Two Cultures, One Heart"

2025/07/08 22:50

Over in Europe This year's Korea Season is unfolding in Spain, and in the last week, a signature dance performance has become the bridge, bringing the two nations together as one. Our Choi Soo-hyung shares some exciting moments with us. Spain is a country renowned for its dance and passion. And in its capital, Madrid, stands a cultural landmark, the Matadero Art Theater. There, a special performance unfolded, blending the past and present of Korean dance. A dancer walked through a dream. Traditional Korean sounds, pansori, janggu and jing, filled the space, setting the stage for a soulful dance. The swishing of hanji, Korean traditional paper, mimicked the sounds of waves, telling people what Korean dance is. Modern styles like b-boying, hip-hop and street dance also caught the eye. Through intense movements, dancers told stories of conflict in modern society, showing how far Korean contemporary dance has come. The final stage presented a dynamic blend of tradition and modern emotion, filled with color and energy. And in the encore, the entire audience danced together to the Korean folk song, "Ganggangsullae," a circle dance, as one a true moment of cultural harmony. "Amazing. I enjoyed every second of it, the dancers, the body language, and the expression. At first, I thought I would not understand because we've come from different cultures, we may have different artistic languages, but it was so enjoyable. The expression and the story were super clear." "The performance was amazing. It was a mix between what you can know about contemporary dance and things you didn't know about Korea, but you can interpret or think about." Since 2022, South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has selected one country each year with strong potential for spreading Korean culture, offering a year-long series of cultural programs on site. This year, Spain was chosen. On Friday, July 4, the performance titled "A Dance Between Cultures," showcased the spirit of the 2025 Korea Season. Featuring acclaimed Korean teams recognized both at home and at international festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe, the event brought Korea and Spain together through dance. "Koreans and Spaniards both love music and dance. Through sharing that energy, it's a great way to connect emotions, and open hearts. We wanted to show performances that people would want to see again, even years later, with a more open mind and a positive mindset." Spain's cultural scene also said why dance can play such an important role in helping Spain understand Korea. "It's very funny, we are so far but we have the same system to protect our identity through the culture, through the tradition, through the idea to move the tradition to another way to be, to express. So the past and the future always together, always dancing together." "Under the theme 'Two Cultures, One Heart,' the performance blended Korean traditional and contemporary dance with Spanish artistry, marking a powerful highlight of this year's Korea Season. Choi Soo-hyung, Arirang News, Madrid.

Made in Korea: World's first recombinant anthrax vaccines ready for production

2025/07/08 22:48

South Korea has developed the world's first recombinant anthrax vaccines after around three decades of research and development. Officials say it's a major step toward vaccine self-reliance and could even pave the way for future exports. Our Park Kun-woo tells us more. Made in Korea. That's a term describing the world's first recombinant anthrax vaccine, which is set to be manufactured in a plant in Hwasun-gun County, in the southwest of South Korea, after decades of joint research between the public and private sectors. The Barythrax vaccine uses recombinant protein technology, minimizing the toxic side effects of other conventional vaccines. "For years, Korea had to rely on expensive imports for anthrax vaccines. But now, that's starting to change. This homegrown vaccine isn't just set to be made in Korea, but will be the result of nearly three decades of accumulated research and technology." The vaccine was approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in April and is expected to be produced later this year. The Hwasun facility alone can produce up to 10 million doses annually, helping ensure a stable supply. However, there were challenges to developing a first-of-its-kind product. "Because this was the first recombinant anthrax vaccine, there were no established guidelines. We had to create and verify the evaluation standards step by step." She stressed the importance of this immunization tool in national preparedness, especially to respond to global health crises, including bioterrorism. She added that those working in high-risk sectors, including lab researchers, military personnel, police, and firefighters, are being considered as priority groups for vaccination. While the product didn't go through a Phase 3 clinical trial due to ethical constraints, there have been concerns regarding its safety. "We couldn't go through a full Phase 3 clinical trial, but we confirmed safety through non-clinical tests with rabbits." He added that rabbits are sensitive to anthrax and require high levels of neutralizing antibodies, which adds weight to the test results. Lee also said the shot is expected to be competitively priced and rising global demand is widely opening possibilities for exports. From a country once reliant on foreign supply, Korea is now positioning itself as an exporter. And with this step toward vaccine self-reliance, expectations are rising for the future of "K-vaccines." Park Kun-woo, Arirang News, Hwasun.

Texas floods leave at least 104 dead, including 27 from Camp Mystic

2025/07/08 22:46

In the United States, the death toll from Friday's catastrophic flash floods in central Texas has surpassed one-hundred. According to CNN, at least a hundred-and-four people have been confirmed dead, and dozens are still missing as of late Monday. Among the victims were twenty-seven young girls and counselors, who were attending Camp Mystic summer camp in the Texas Hill Country when the floods swept through the area. Search and rescue operations have entered their fifth day, but heavy rain and harsh weather continue to hinder efforts. After days of rainfall, central Texas is expected to be much drier from Tuesday.

U.S. President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu meet in Washington D.C.

2025/07/08 22:45

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held closed-door discussions at the White House on Monday regarding the Middle East, where Trump expressed confidence that Hamas will accept the truce deal. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that the ceasefire proposal supported by Israel has been delivered to Hamas and further added that the release of all hostages is President Trump's top priority. She also stated that Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, will continue the remaining discussions. On the same day, Netanyahu also brought a letter nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, which he had sent to the Nobel Prize Committee. The Prime Minister praised Trump for his peace-making abilities by claiming that "he's forging peace," which Trump said was "meaningful." This marks Netanyahu's third visit to the U.S. during Trump's second administration.

S. Korea "strongly regrets" UNESCO's failure to review Japan's fmr. slave labor World Heritage sites

2025/07/08 22:43

South Korea says it will continue to urge Japan to keep its promise to disclose its wartime use of forced labor at its World Heritage industrial sites. This comes after UNESCO's committee dropped Seoul's motion to review Tokyo's commitments to the international community. Oh Soo-young has more. South Korea has voiced "strong regret" after a UNESCO committee rejected its proposal to review Japan's handling of wartime forced labor sites, including Hashima Coal Mine near Nagasaki. On Monday's annual session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris, South Korea proposed a formal agenda to assess whether Japan had fulfilled its 2015 promise to acknowledge the use of Korean forced labor at its Meiji-era industrial sites. But Japan submitted a counterproposal to delete the item, which was passed with 7 votes in favor, 3 opposing and 8 abstentions. The 21-member committee allows motions to pass with just six votes in favor. In 2015, Japan pledged to take steps to present the full historical context of 23 industrial sites, including forced labor under its colonial rule, as a condition for having them listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. However, Tokyo has failed to follow through on this pledge. Japan placed the "Industrial Heritage Information Center" in Tokyo not Nagasaki and failed to mention forced mobilization or discrimination against Korean laborers. This year, Nagasaki produced a virtual reality video to mark the 10th anniversary of the sites' listing but again omitted the history of forced labor, prompting further criticism. Some 57-thousand-900 Koreans were forced into work at seven of Japan's registered sites during its colonial rule of Korea in the early 20th century. In 2021, UNESCO adopted a decision expressing "strong regret" over Japan's inadequate follow-up,.. and urging it to uphold its commitment. Two years later, the committee called on Japan to consult with concerned countries, and produce new and enhanced measures on historical interpretation, for review by December 2024. However, Tokyo decided to file an "update" instead of a proper report, which is subject to a committee review. The World Heritage Committee has reviewed Japan's industrial sites every two to three years, through progress reports. Thus, South Korea has stressed UNESCO has a duty to monitor implementation of its decisions. All member states under the World Heritage Convention have the right to raise concerns and request formal reviews. Japan pays the third largest amount of contributions to the UNESCO's annual budget. Observers say this boosts its influence within the organisation. South Korea says it will keep urging Tokyo to fulfill its international commitments, while working to build forward-looking cooperation based on mutual trust. Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.

Heat wave grips Seoul, heat-related illness cases surge by over 80%

2025/07/08 22:40

The summer heat has arrived early this year, with Seoul under a heat wave warning. As temperatures climb, concerns are growing over public safety and rising cases of heat-related illnesses. Byeon Ye-young reports. Seoul is experiencing extreme heat, with Tuesday marking the hottest day of the year so far. "During the daytime, the temperature in Seoul is getting as high as 36 degrees Celsius." Seoul experienced its ninth consecutive tropical night on Monday, meaning that the nighttime lows do not drop lower than 25 degrees. South Korea's weather agency issued the season's first heat wave warning for all parts of Seoul on Monday, 18 days earlier than last year. The heat wave warning remains in effect for a second day on Tuesday, issued when perceived temperatures hit 35 degrees Celsius or higher for two days or when severe heat-related damage is expected. For those in Seoul, the heat is more than just a nuisance. "I'm working outside, and it's so hot I feel like I'm going to melt. It's very hot. I want to go to the seaside." "I didn't feel it when I was driving this morning, but now I'm really feeling the heat. I've got a tan because I was recently on vacation, but now I'm kind of worried about my health, and things like skin cancer." Tuesday's temperatures climbed to over 37 degrees, marking the hottest day in early July since weather-related data began being recorded in 1907, breaking a 118-year record. The intense heat nationwide has also led to a sharp rise in heat-related illnesses. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, 875 cases were reported as of Sunday, up 83 percent from the same period last year. Data also revealed that seven people have died from heatstroke since May 15, more than double the number of deaths recorded in 2024. Byeon Ye-young, Arirang News.