Heatwave disaster alert raised to the highest level… 302 heat illness cases over five days

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety raised the heatwave disaster crisis warning to the highest level, “serious,” as of 3 p.m. on the 27th, and activated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters. This measure comes as a heatwave advisory has been issued in most parts of the country, and damage has worsened, with more than 300 heatrelated illnesses and 4 deaths occurring over the past five days. According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, temperatures in some areas including Gyeongju and Daegu rose to around 39 degrees Celsius, and many places were also under a tropical night advisory. The government believes this intense heat and tropical nights will continue for the time being, and has decided to strengthen monitoring of vulnerable elderly people, residents of jjokbang rooms, and the homeless, as well as support for cooling supplies. According to the emergency room surveillance system for heatrelated illnesses of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, from May 15 to this 26th, the number of heatrelated illness cases stood at 1,399, with 8 estimated deaths. In particular, 302 patients occurred in just the five days from the 22nd to the 26th, and there were also 4 estimated deaths during that period. Both patients and deaths were concentrated during the period when the heatwave intensified. The government and local governments are strengthening responses by expanding the operation of heat shelters, inspecting outdoor work sites, and checking on the wellbeing of older farmers. Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung said the ministry would devote allout efforts to protecting vulnerable groups and preventing loss of life, and also urged the public to drink water, rest, and refrain from outdoor activities in areas under a severe heatwave alert.