Merchants at the Incheon Jonghap Fish Market are struggling as a persistent heat wave drives down customer numbers and spoils inventory [1].

The extreme weather threatens the livelihoods of local seafood vendors by increasing operational costs and reducing foot traffic during a critical summer period [2].

Located in the Namdong District of Incheon, the market has become a focal point for the impacts of intense sunlight and high humidity [2]. While the facility has a roof to block direct sun, the structure traps hot and humid air inside the market [1].

"But the hot and humid air stays inside, and the sultry heat envelops the whole body," Pyo Jung-woo of YTN News said [1].

This stagnant heat has created a precarious environment for preserving perishable goods. Merchants report that ice is melting rapidly, forcing them to use more resources to keep seafood fresh [2]. The combination of high indoor temperatures and oppressive humidity has made the workspace grueling for employees and unappealing for shoppers [1].

Reporters spent two to three hours [1] observing the conditions within the market to document the atmospheric heat. The findings suggest that the current infrastructure is insufficient to combat the severity of the current heat wave, leaving merchants vulnerable to financial losses as customers avoid the stifling environment [2].

Local vendors said the heat is not only affecting their physical health but also their daily revenue as the number of visitors has noticeably declined [2].

“the sultry heat envelops the whole body”

The situation at Incheon Jonghap Fish Market highlights the vulnerability of traditional open-air or semi-enclosed markets to extreme climate events. As heat waves become more intense, the reliance on basic cooling methods like ice becomes inefficient, suggesting a need for systemic infrastructure upgrades in urban food hubs to maintain food safety and economic stability.