Overview
- The Korea Meteorological Administration issued the first Emergency Heatwave Warning at 10 a.m. for Gyeongsan and Pohang after weekend temperatures met the new criteria.
- The emergency tier is triggered when areas already under a heatwave warning are forecast to have a feels-like temperature of at least 38°C or an air temperature of at least 39°C for a day.
- Officials told residents to stop outdoor activities, move to cool places, stay hydrated, and check that no children or pets are left inside vehicles.
- Local and national agencies mobilized to protect vulnerable people by extending shelter hours, advising businesses to suspend outdoor work, and checking on the elderly and outdoor laborers.
- The system, adopted in 2026 to respond to longer and more intense heatwaves, reflects data showing some regions would meet emergency thresholds multiple times a year and a measurable rise in heat-related mortality risk.