South Korea heatwave kills 16

South Korea is reeling from an unprecedented heatwave, with the death toll rising to 16. Describing the situation as alarming, President Lee Jae-myung said extreme weather is increasingly becoming routine and called for fundamental reform of the national disaster response system.

According to a Reuters report, during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, President Lee instructed authorities to further strengthen support for those affected by the heatwave. He also called for necessary preparations to ensure uninterrupted power supply as the use of air conditioners surges amid the intense heat.

He told the meeting that extreme weather is becoming the new normal, and therefore fundamental reforms must be undertaken to modernise the national crisis management system.

Meanwhile, the Korea Meteorological Administration reported that the southeastern city of Yangsan recorded 42.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday, the highest temperature in 122 years of weather observation history.

The abnormal heatwave has intensified conditions in the capital Seoul and surrounding areas. On Monday, a special heatwave alert was issued for some parts of Seoul and the neighbouring Gyeonggi region for the first time, which was extended to the entire capital on Tuesday.

Authorities have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, drink adequate water and pay special attention to the elderly, children and those who are ill. Preparations are also being strengthened to cope with the prolonged impact of the heatwave.