Record-Breaking Heat Grips North Korea, South Korea, and Japan

Record-breaking heat is gripping North Korea, South Korea and Japan, triggering heatwave advisories and emergency responses. South Korea’s greater Seoul area saw temperatures up to about 39°C, and Interior and Safety Ministry figures report roughly 2,220 heat-related illnesses since mid-May with 19 deaths. North Korea has issued heat alerts and urged precautions. In Japan, the Environment Ministry issued heatstroke warnings across much of western and southern regions, while the disaster agency said more than 18,000 people were taken to hospitals for heatstroke symptoms in late July.