South Korea’s government declares the country’s ongoing heatwave a national disaster as deaths attributed to the extreme temperatures rise. Multiple reports say at least 19 people have died, with the number increasing as authorities continue to assess casualties linked to heat-related illness. The South Korean president publicly calls for changes to the country’s disaster response system, arguing that the current approach needs to be overhauled in light of the scale of the event and the resulting fatalities.
The reports describe the heatwave as record-level weather that triggers emergency measures and prompts government review. Alongside the disaster declaration, officials respond to the ongoing health risks posed by extreme heat, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke. While the coverage focuses on the death toll and the government’s reaction, both outlets align on the core points: the heatwave is treated as a national-level emergency and the president calls for structural improvements to preparedness and response to future disasters.
