• South Korea is grappling with a severe heatwave, leading to over 3,000 heat-related illnesses this year.
• The Korea Meteorological Administration predicts the heatwave will persist due to the convergence of the Tibetan and North Pacific high-pressure systems.
• Seoul has experienced 36 tropical nights this summer, the highest frequency since meteorological observations began in 1907.
• The country is also dealing with a wave of Covid-19 cases, but the number of hospitalized patients shows signs of decreasing.

South Korea is currently facing a severe heatwave that has led to a significant increase in heat-related illnesses. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported that the number of patients suffering from heat-related conditions has surpassed 3,000 this year. This alarming figure marks the second-highest tally on record, with the highest number of heat-related patients reported in 2018 when 4,526 cases were recorded.

The KDCA reported that the total number of such patients had reached 3,019 as of Wednesday, since May 20, when the government began monitoring cases for the year. The extreme heat has also claimed 28 lives so far this year in the country. The latest figure has already surpassed the 2,818 cases posted in 2023, which were recorded between May 20 and September 30 last year.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) expects the country to remain under the influence of heatwaves and to experience tropical nights through early September. A tropical night occurs when temperatures remain at or above 25 degrees Celsius from 6:01 p.m. until 9 a.m. the following day.

Heatwave's Impact on Seoul

Seoul, the capital city, has experienced 36 tropical nights this summer as of Friday, including a stretch of 33 consecutive days. This marks the highest frequency since modern meteorological observations began in the capital city in 1907.

The KMA anticipates that the current heatwave will last longer because of the continued convergence of the Tibetan and North Pacific high-pressure systems over the Korean peninsula. This convergence is causing the heatwaves to persist, leading to an increase in heat-related illnesses and deaths.

In addition to battling the heatwave, South Korea is also dealing with a wave of Covid-19 cases. However, the KDCA reported that the number of patients hospitalized for Covid showed signs of abating. The number of Covid-19 patients in 220 hospitals last week came to 1,444, up 5.7 per cent from a week earlier.

Historical Context and Future Implications

This is a significant decrease from the 55.2 per cent increase in the second week of this month and the 85.7 percent increase in the first week. KDCA Commissioner Jee Young-mee expressed optimism, stating that the number of infections is expected to decrease after this week or the next.

The current situation in South Korea is reminiscent of the 2018 heatwave, which was the deadliest on record. That year, the country reported 4,526 heat-related illnesses, the highest number ever recorded. The heatwave also claimed over 1,000 lives, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country's history. The government declared a national disaster and mobilized all available resources to combat the heatwave.

The current heatwave and the resulting health crisis underscore the urgent need for effective heatwave management strategies. These could include public awareness campaigns about the dangers of heatwaves, the provision of cooling centers for vulnerable populations, and the implementation of heat-health warning systems.

As South Korea is facing a dual challenge of managing a severe heatwave and a wave of Covid-19 cases, the country's health authorities are closely monitoring the situation and implementing measures to protect the public's health.

However, the persistence of the heatwave and its impact on public health highlight the need for comprehensive strategies to manage heatwaves and protect vulnerable populations. The lessons learned from the 2018 heatwave and the current crisis will be crucial in shaping these strategies and ensuring the health and safety of the South Korean population.