South Korea recorded historic temperature spikes in Busan and Yangsan on Wednesday, with one city hitting its highest mark in 122 years.
These temperature readings signal an intensifying heat wave that has pushed the national infrastructure and public health systems to their limits. The extreme heat has prompted the Korea Meteorological Administration to issue a heat-wave warning across the affected regions.
In Busan, the temperature reached 38.8°C [1]. This mark is the highest recorded in the city since meteorological observations began in 1904 [1]. The severity of the heat led officials to issue a critical heat-wave alert for the metropolitan area.
Nearby Yangsan experienced even more extreme conditions. The temperature in Yangsan climbed to 40.3°C [3], marking the highest temperature recorded in the country this summer [3]. This is the first time any location in South Korea has exceeded the 40°C threshold since 2018 [4].
Data from the Korea Meteorological Administration shows the temperature in Yangsan hit 40.0°C at 3:26 p.m. [5]. Only eight minutes later, at 3:34 p.m., the reading climbed further to 40.3°C [6].
Reporter Ko Han-seok of YTN News said that Busan recorded 38.8 degrees, the highest since 1904 observations began, and a critical heat wave warning was issued.
Ko said that Yangsan soared to 40.3 degrees, the first time the country has exceeded 40 degrees since 2018.
“Busan recorded 38.8 degrees, the highest since 1904 observations began”
The breach of the 40°C mark for the first time in eight years, combined with a 122-year record in Busan, suggests a significant shift in the intensity of summer heat waves in South Korea. This trend may force the government to re-evaluate urban cooling strategies and public health protocols to protect vulnerable populations from heat-related illnesses.
