On Wednesday, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported the highest number of heat-related deaths since 2018, as the country is currently experiencing a sweltering heat wave.
According to the agency, 27 people have died of heat-related illness since late May.
This figure is the highest since 2018, when the comparable figure was 48.
Additionally, from May 20 to Tuesday, 2,085 people have been hospitalized for heat-related illnesses, which is also the highest since 2018.
The agency noted that the number of heat-related deaths and illnesses may rise further as they compile related data till September.
The data also showed that 30.9 percent of the patients were aged 65 and above, demonstrating that seniors are more vulnerable to the heat.
The heat wave has been affecting South Korea for more than two weeks, with the highest temperatures reaching 38 C on Tuesday.
A construction worker covers his neck with a bag of ice in Daegu, 237 kilometers southeast of Seoul, on Aug. 4, 2023. (Yonhap)
sam@yna.co.kr
(END)