South Korea's Lee calls heatwave a national disaster as deaths rise to 19
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has declared the country's record-breaking heatwave a national disaster following 19 heat-related deaths. Authorities are implementing emergency measures, including power system inspections and temporary housing for vulnerable populations, as temperatures reach historic highs.
Why it matters
The event underscores the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and the resulting strain on public infrastructure and disaster response systems in urban environments.
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COOLING OFF. Children play at a ground fountain to cool down during a heatwave warning in Seoul, South Korea, on August 3, 2026.
SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean President Lee Jae-myung urged on Tuesday, August 4, authorities to step up support for people affected by a record heatwave in the country, calling it a national disaster after scorching conditions were blamed for 19 deaths.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Lee ordered officials to take necessary measures to protect the daily lives of people and inspect power systems as demand for air conditioning surges.
“An even greater concern is that abnormal weather conditions make it highly likely that extreme weather will continue for a considerable period,” said Lee, who wants a major redesign of the disaster response system to cope with the hazardous conditions.
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