South Korea's heatwave kills 16

In South Korea on 4 August 2026, a heatwave was reported to have killed 16 people this summer, according to the interior ministry. Reuters put the death toll at 19. President Lee called the heatwave a national disaster and urged a stronger response.

Seoul issued its first 'severe heatwave warning' under a new advisory system, and all of Seoul was placed under the highest heat alert. In North Korea, citizens were advised to eat dog meat to beat the summer heat, and a beach resort was promoted during the heatwave.