Temperatures soared to record highs in southeastern South Korea on July 29 as a heat wave gripped the nation, with warnings issued for parts of Seoul.
The Korea Meteorological Administration reported that Yangsan reached 40.3 C at 3:34 p.m. on July 29, the highest since data collection began in 2008. Busan hit 38.8 C at 2:56 p.m., surpassing the previous record of 37.3 C set in 2016 and marking the highest since records started in 1904.
A heat wave warning was issued at 11 a.m. on July 29 for eastern and southwestern parts of Seoul, the capital's second such alert this summer. The warning is triggered when the maximum apparent temperature is forecast to stay above 35 C for two or more consecutive days.
The agency attributed the heat to the combined influence of the North Pacific High and Tibetan High pressure systems and projected it would persist through the end of the following week. In response, the Seoul metropolitan government opened local offices around the clock for cooling and restricted outdoor work from 2 to 5 p.m. at municipal construction sites.
