South Korea recorded 72 heat-related illness cases nationwide on July 31, 2026 [1].
These figures highlight the ongoing danger of a prolonged heatwave that continues to strain the national healthcare system and emergency services. The trend is particularly concerning as it marks the 10th consecutive day that daily heat-illness patients have exceeded 50 people [2].
According to data from YTN, no deaths were reported on July 31 [1]. However, the preceding day, July 30, saw a higher toll with 76 cases and two deaths [10, 11]. This volatility underscores the unpredictable nature of the current weather extreme.
Regional data shows the highest concentration of cases in Gyeonggi Province, which reported 13 patients [3]. Gyeongsang-nam-do and Incheon each recorded approximately 10 cases [4, 5].
While the majority of the illnesses occurred in outdoor settings, accounting for 79% of the total [6], health officials are warning against the risks of staying inside. More than 20% of the cases occurred indoors [7], suggesting that poor ventilation or lack of cooling in some residential and commercial spaces is contributing to the crisis.
Since May 15, 2026, the cumulative number of heat-illness cases has reached 1,781 [8]. During that same period, 13 people died [9].
Reporter Kim Ju-young said that the number of heat-illness patients visiting emergency rooms nationwide has remained above 50 for 10 days [2].
“72 heat-related illness cases nationwide on July 31, 2026”
The data indicates that South Korea's heatwave is no longer just an outdoor occupational hazard for laborers or the elderly. The fact that one in five cases occurs indoors suggests a critical vulnerability in urban housing and infrastructure, where 'indoor heat' can become lethal even for those who avoid the sun.
