South Korea Mobilizes Full Government Response as Heatwave Deaths Climb

President Lee Jae-myung ordered an all-out government response to a heatwave on August 6, 2026, with Seoul forecast to hit 39°C (102°F). Temperatures peaked at 42.5°C (108.5°F) on August 2, killing 14 and sickening 1,889 since mid-summer. South Korea raised its heatwave alert to the second-highest level and expanded the top-tier alert to all of Seoul.