Record heat wave kills 16 people in South Korea

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung called on the country's authorities to step up support for people affected by the country's record heat wave, saying the death toll had risen to 16 people. This was reported by the Reuters news agency on August 4.

"We need to make efforts to fundamentally restructure the national crisis response system, as extreme weather conditions are becoming the norm," the agency quoted the South Korean leader as saying at a government meeting.

Lee Jae-myung also called on officials to take necessary measures to protect people's lives and check the country's energy systems due to the sharp increase in demand for air conditioners.

The heat wave in Asia has affected several regions at once, including the eastern and southern parts, where the air temperature significantly exceeds the climatic norm. The region is facing a long-term increase in average temperatures faster than global averages with alternating periods of drought and heavy rains.

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The Korea JoongAng Daily newspaper reported yesterday that the South Korean city of Yangsan has recorded a record heat wave in the history of meteorological observations in the country. The air temperature rose to +42.5 degrees, which was the absolute maximum since the beginning of observations, which have been conducted in the country since 1904.

Warnings have been issued in the provinces of Jeongnam and Gyeongnam due to dangerous weather conditions. According to forecasters, in the coming days, extreme heat will spread to other areas of South Korea.