South Korea is currently grappling with a dangerous stretch of extreme weather that has already claimed 16 lives this summer. According to the latest data from the interior ministry, over 2,000 people have reported suffering from heat-related illnesses between mid-May and the beginning of August. The situation has become increasingly dire as the country experiences record-breaking temperatures that show little sign of relenting.

The intensity of the heat is unprecedented, with historical records being shattered multiple times over the past week alone. On Sunday, the city of Yangsan reached a staggering 42.5ºC, marking a new all-time high for the nation. With Seoul currently under a severe heatwave warning and forecasts predicting temperatures to climb near 40ºC, the national weather agency has issued urgent alerts, warning residents that the ongoing conditions are life-threatening.