Seoul is under a severe heat warning after temperatures reached levels that pose serious health risks to the public [1].
This extreme weather event has disrupted daily operations across the city, halting critical labor and professional sports to prevent heat-related casualties.
Kim Seung-bae, head of the Korean Natural Disaster Association, said the criteria for a severe heat warning include an apparent temperature of 38 °C [1] or a measured temperature of 39 °C [1]. The city has seen both thresholds met, prompting the emergency alert.
Because of the extreme conditions, authorities have ordered the suspension of outdoor work [1]. The heat has also impacted the sports sector, leading to the cancellation of professional baseball games [1].
Kim said, "Outdoor work must naturally be stopped, and even professional baseball has been suspended, has it not?" [1]
Officials expect the most intense period of the heat wave to persist until at least mid-August [1]. Residents are being urged to limit outdoor exposure and follow safety protocols as the city manages the peak of the summer season.
Anchor Park Seok-won said the scope of the alert is currently in effect across all of Seoul [1].
“Outdoor work must naturally be stopped, and even professional baseball has been suspended”
The suspension of professional sports and industrial labor indicates that Seoul's current heat levels have surpassed standard seasonal expectations, moving into a range where physical exertion becomes life-threatening. By triggering a 'severe heat warning,' the city is prioritizing public health over economic and athletic schedules, signaling a high risk of heatstroke across the metropolitan area.
