SEOUL, Aug 3, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - South Korea's weather agency issued a "severe 
heatwave warning" for Seoul on Monday, the first such advisory since 
introducing the designation this year to alert the public about extreme 
temperatures.

New national heat records were set on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the 
mercury soaring up to 42.5C, leading to nearly 300 people being hospitalised, 
according to health authorities.

The sweltering heatwave continued on Monday, albeit without breaking the 
weekend's all-time record.

But the Korea Meteorological Administration issued its first "severe heatwave 
warning" for Seoul, saying some districts in the city of nine million people 
could expect more roasting temperatures to come.

The agency said Monday marked the second consecutive day when the apparent, 
or "feels-like", temperature in some districts reached 35C -- and forecast 
figures as high as 38C from 11:00 am (0200 GMT) on Tuesday.

"Outdoor activities and work should be halted or postponed as much as 
possible," says the heat warning. "Individuals should move to cool locations, 
such as air-conditioned indoor spaces or designated heat relief shelters."

Pedestrian commuters in the capital snaked their way to work through patches 
of shade on Monday, avoiding direct sunlight even in the morning's cooler 
early hours.

The "severe heatwave warning" category was introduced in South Korea this 
year, mirroring similar designations other countries have brought in.

Japanese cities have this summer experienced "cruelly hot days", a new 
meteorological term Tokyo uses to designate days with intense heat above 40C.

Scientists warn that extreme weather events such as heatwaves are becoming 
more frequent and intense as a result of human-induced climate change.