Families and beachgoers are crowding Iho Taeu Beach on Jeju Island to escape a severe heat wave hitting South Korea this week.
The surge in visitors highlights the growing reliance on coastal retreats as extreme summer temperatures make urban centers increasingly difficult to navigate. For many, the ocean provides the only viable relief from the oppressive humidity and heat.
Conditions at the beach have been intense. Reporter Ko Jae-hyung of YTN News said the midsummer sunlight is so piercing it feels painful.
The temperature rise began early in the day. Jeju's temperature exceeded 30°C by eight a.m. [1], and it has since climbed to more than 33°C [1].
Despite the high heat, Iho Taeu Beach remains a popular destination for those looking to cool off. Families with children have gathered at the shoreline to swim and avoid the peak temperatures of the day.
Local observers said the heat wave has not deterred the crowds. The combination of high temperatures and bright sunlight has pushed many residents and tourists toward the water to regulate their body temperatures, and find respite from the sun.
“The midsummer sunlight is so piercing it feels painful.”
The trend of increased beach visitation during extreme heat underscores the public health challenge of managing heat-related risks. As temperatures rise early in the morning, the window for safe outdoor activity narrows, pushing populations toward water-based cooling centers to avoid heatstroke.
