South Korea’s summer heat has claimed 19 lives so far this year, the country’s health agency said on Tuesday, as an intense heatwave continues to grip the nation.
A total of 2,221 people had suffered heat-related illnesses between 15 May and 3 August, of whom 19 died, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said.
President Lee Jae Myung earlier asked authorities to boost support for those affected by the ongoing record heatwave.
The whole of Seoul also remained under the highest-level heat alert on Tuesday, issued when the heat index is forecast to reach 38C or temperatures are expected to climb to 39C or higher.
“Extreme, life-threatening heat is forecast,” the weather agency said in a statement earlier on Tuesday.
South Korea set an all-time temperature record on Sunday, when the southeastern city of Yangsan reached 42.5C.
