Published：Jul 7, 06:43Last updated：Jul 12, 11:33

South Korea Battles Monsoon Floods and Record Heatwave

Jul. 7, 2026 06:43

Monsoon rains are forecast to soak South Korea starting Wednesday due to a stationary front in the Yellow Sea. The Korea Meteorological Administration predicts heavy downpours in southwestern and central regions before moving northward into North Korea on Friday. A nationwide heat wave is expected to follow on Saturday.

Summarized

16News

6Media

Jul. 12, 2026 09:36

South Korea issued its first "grave heat wave" warnings for Gyeongsan and Pohang on July 12, 2026, under a new highest-level alert system introduced in June. Temperatures reached 39.9°C in Gyeongsan and 37.2°C in Pohang the previous day, prompting the warnings, which were later downgraded to regular heat wave alerts. The new system triggers a grave warning when daily highs are forecast to hit 39°C in areas where the apparent temperature has been 35°C or higher for two consecutive days. Authorities advised avoiding outdoor activities and staying hydrated. Other regions, including Seoul, also experienced extreme heat, with temperatures expected to remain high.

Jul. 12, 2026 11:33

South Korea has issued its highest-level heatwave warning for the first time. On July 12, the meteorological service declared an emergency warning in Gyeongsan and Pohang, where temperatures approached 40 degrees Celsius.

South Korea is grappling with extreme weather conditions, transitioning from severe monsoon flooding to a record-breaking heatwave. The Korea Meteorological Administration has issued multiple warnings as heavy rains caused widespread damage, followed by unprecedented high temperatures triggering the nation's first-ever "grave" heat wave alerts.

🌧️ Monsoon Flooding Impacts

Central and southwestern regions, including Seoul, Gangwon, and Chungcheong provinces, experienced torrential rains exceeding 200 mm in some areas. Cheonan recorded 266.6 mm of rainfall, leading to 758 evacuations and damage to over 450 facilities. Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung activated disaster response measures as flooding and landslides disrupted communities. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters reported one fatality in Yeongju and significant infrastructure damage nationwide.
Yonhap News Agency+2

🔥 Historic Heatwave Emerges

Following the floods, temperatures soared to 39.9°C in Gyeongsan and 37.2°C in Pohang, prompting South Korea's first-ever "grave" heat wave warnings under a new alert system. The Korea Meteorological Administration expanded alerts to 209 of 235 monitoring zones, with apparent temperatures exacerbated by high humidity. Authorities warned vulnerable populations to avoid outdoor activities as tropical night conditions persisted in urban areas.
Yonhap News Agency+2

🚨 Emergency Response Measures

The government upgraded heat advisories to warnings across 116 zones, focusing on elderly care and outdoor worker safety. New cooling centers were established while maintaining flood recovery operations in affected regions. The dual crises have strained emergency services, with Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung calling for coordinated response efforts between local and national agencies.
Yonhap News Agency+2

🌡️ Regional Climate Context

The extreme weather aligns with broader East Asian patterns, as Japan's Kyushu region simultaneously recorded 39.3°C temperatures. Meteorologists attribute the intensity to stationary weather fronts and changing climate conditions. Both countries have seen increased demand for heat mitigation products and infrastructure adaptations to cope with the new normal of extreme summer weather.
Mainichi Shimbun+2

PohangCheonanGyeongsanInterior Minister Yun Ho-jungKorea Meteorological Administration