As South Korea continues to experience persistent high temperatures, most regions nationwide issued heat warnings on Thursday, with the phenomenon of 'tropical nights'—where nighttime temperatures stay above 25°C—continuing to occur.
Many areas in the Seoul metropolitan area and some parts of South Jeolla Province have already issued the highest-level major heat alert in the warning system. At 5 a.m. that day, temperatures were 29.4°C in Seoul, 29.7°C in Incheon, 29.1°C in Suwon, and 27.5°C in Gwangju. In addition, it was 27.4°C in Daejeon, 27.1°C in Jeju, and 26.3°C in Busan. Daytime temperatures across the country are expected to reach between 30 and 39°C.
The Korea Meteorological Administration adjusted its heat warning system on June 1, adding a new, highest-level major heat alert—expanding the system from two to three levels. The criteria for issuing a major heat alert include: regions where the maximum apparent temperature is 35°C or above for more than two consecutive days, and where the maximum apparent temperature is expected to reach at least 38°C or the maximum temperature is expected to reach at least 39°C for more than one day.