Meanwhile, halfway across the world. A boy keeping cool in Korea, Aug 3 2026 A record-breaking heatwave is tightening its grip on the Korean Peninsula, with temperatures climbing towards 40C and authorities in both South Korea and North Korea stepping up emergency measures to protect residents from increasingly dangerous conditions. Forecasters warn the worst may still be ahead, with extreme heat spreading into the Seoul metropolitan area and western regions after scorching the country's southeast. Records Shattered as Heat Intensifies South Korea's weather agency said the southeastern city of Yangsan reached 42.5C, the highest temperature recorded in 122 years of observations. The city had already broken the national record on the previous two days, highlighting the relentless pace of the heatwave. The Korea Meteorological Administration has also issued its first-ever severe heatwave warning for parts of Seoul and neighbouring Gyeonggi Province, while the highest-level alerts remain in force across much of the country's south. Emergency Response Moves Up a Gear The government has raised its heatwave response to the second-highest alert level, unlocking additional funding and triggering expanded inspections and relief efforts. Prime Minister Han Seong-sook has ordered ministries and local authorities to deploy every available resource to tackle both the immediate health risks and the growing threat of drought. Power operators are also preparing for record electricity demand as air-conditioning use surges. Lives Disrupted as Temperatures Soar The extreme weather is already taking a heavy toll. Since mid-May, South Korea has recorded 14 heat-related deaths and nearly 1,900 cases of heat illness, according to health officials. Local councils have expanded cooling shelters, handed out free drinking water and sun umbrellas, and increased water-spraying operations in urban areas. Meanwhile, professional baseball matches have been cancelled, with organisers warning further disruption is possible if conditions fail to improve. Climate Warning Echoes Across the Peninsula North Korea is enduring similar conditions, with state media reporting temperatures approaching 40C and a fifth consecutive tropical night in Pyongyang. Heat advisories remain in place across much of the country as beaches and water parks fill with people seeking relief. For many residents, the unprecedented temperatures have become a stark reminder that extreme heat is no longer an isolated event but an increasingly persistent feature of life across the Korean Peninsula. Record heatwave spreads across Korean Peninsula, prompting emergency response
