Seoul citizens are clustering under the Cheonggyecheon bridge to escape extreme heat at Gwanghwamun Square this week [1].
The situation highlights the vulnerability of urban centers to the "urban heat island" effect, where lack of shade and concrete surfaces amplify soaring temperatures. As the city faces an ongoing heat wave, public spaces are becoming hazardous for pedestrians and tourists alike.
According to reporter Jung Young-soo, the weather shifted rapidly on the day of reporting, moving from cloudy skies in the morning to intense sunlight after noon [1]. The combination of high heat and humidity has transformed the square into what local media described as a "steaming pot" [1].
Environmental measurements recorded at the square show air temperatures reached 33°C [1]. However, the lack of shade caused the ground temperature to climb significantly higher, measuring approximately 40°C [1].
Humidity has further complicated the conditions for those outdoors. With relative humidity around 60%, the air feels heavier and more oppressive, creating sauna-like conditions for those crossing the square [1].
"With the scorching heat continuing day after day and the humidity also high, Gwanghwamun Square is literally a steaming pot," a YTN anchor said [1].
Pedestrians have abandoned the open areas of the square in favor of the limited shade provided by the Cheonggyecheon bridge. The bridge has become a primary gathering point for citizens attempting to regulate their body temperature while navigating the city center [1, 2].
Jung Young-soo said the ground in the shadeless square had heated up due to the 33°C heat and 60% humidity [1].
“Gwanghwamun Square is literally a steaming pot”
The transformation of a major civic landmark into an uninhabitable 'steaming pot' underscores the critical need for urban cooling infrastructure. When ground temperatures exceed air temperatures by significant margins, it indicates that heat-absorbing materials in city planning are exacerbating the effects of regional heat waves, forcing citizens to rely on unplanned makeshift shelters for safety.
