Heat-related illness cases in South Korea triple over past decade
Synopsis
South Korea's late-summer heat illness toll has nearly tripled over the past decade — from 215 annual cases in 2011–2015 to 658 in 2016–2020 — and the current season has already logged 3,089 cases and 26 deaths. With daytime highs of 31–35°C forecast through late August, the data signals a structural shift in the country's heat exposure risk, not a one-off spike.
Key Takeaways
Heat-related illness cases in South Korea during late summer rose nearly 3-fold over the past decade, from an annual average of 215 cases (2011–2015) to 658 cases (2016–2020).
Annual heat-related deaths rose from an average of 3.3 (2012–2015) to more than 4 per year over 2016–2025.
In 2024 , 1,299 people fell ill and 12 died from heat-related causes between ipchu and late August.
On a single day this week, 202 people were treated in emergency rooms and 3 died.
The government's monitoring system has recorded 3,089 cases and 26 deaths since 15 May this year.
President Lee Jae Myung separately ordered a review of policies that may discourage young couples from registering marriages.
The number of heat-related illness patients recorded during late summer in South Korea has nearly tripled over the past 10 years, according to government data released on Saturday, 8 August. The figures, drawn from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and analysed by a research institute under the interior ministry, point to a sharp and sustained rise in heat stress as climate patterns intensify.
A Decade of Rising Numbers
Between 2011 and 2015, an annual average of 215 heat-related illness cases were reported from ipchu — the traditional calendar marker for the start of autumn, which fell on 7 August this year — through the end of August. That figure surged to an annual average of 658 cases in the 2016–2020 period and remained elevated at 638 cases annually between 2021 and 2025.
Deaths linked to heat-related illnesses also climbed during the same window, rising from an annual average of 3.3 deaths in the 2012–2015 period to more than four deaths per year over the decade spanning 2016 to 2025.
2024 Among the Worst Years on Record
In 2024 alone, 1,299 people suffered heat-related illnesses and 12 died between ipchu and late August — among the highest single-season tallies in recent memory. The data underscores that late summer, far from being a period of cooling, has become the most dangerous stretch of the year for heat exposure in the country.
On Friday, a single day saw 202 people treated at emergency rooms nationwide for heat-related conditions, with three deaths recorded, according to the KDCA.
Current Season and Government Response
Heat waves are expected to persist through late August this year, with daytime highs forecast to range between 31°C and 35°C across the country. The government has operated a dedicated heat-related illness monitoring system since 15 May. Under that system, 3,089 heat-related illness cases have been logged so far this season, including 26 deaths.
This is the third consecutive year in which late-summer heat illness figures have remained significantly above the pre-2016 baseline, suggesting that the earlier spike was not an anomaly but a structural shift in the country's heat exposure profile.
President Lee on Marriage Policy Amid the Heat Crisis
Separately, President Lee Jae Myung on Saturday pledged to review government policies that may penalise young married couples in housing loans and welfare benefits. The remarks came amid concerns that some couples are delaying or avoiding formal marriage registration because combining income and assets could disadvantage them when applying for loans, housing programmes, and welfare schemes.
'Young people should never be discouraged from getting married because of government policies,' Lee wrote in a post on X. 'I have ordered a thorough review of any disadvantages they may face as a result of marriage.' The government has not yet specified a timeline for completing the review.
What to Watch
With heat waves forecast to continue through late August, public health officials are expected to intensify outreach to vulnerable populations — the elderly, outdoor workers, and low-income households without air conditioning. Whether the government's monitoring system translates into faster emergency response will be closely watched as the season peaks.
Point of View
But better counting is not the same as better prevention; the death toll has also risen. The persistence of elevated case counts even in 2021–2025, after a decade of awareness campaigns, suggests that reactive emergency-room responses are not enough. The real question is whether the government will shift resources toward heat-resilient housing and proactive outreach for the elderly and outdoor workers before the next peak season, not after it.
NationPress
8 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much have heat-related illness cases risen in South Korea over the past decade?
Heat-related illness cases during late summer in South Korea nearly tripled over the past decade, rising from an annual average of 215 cases in 2011–2015 to 658 cases in 2016–2020, according to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The figure remained elevated at 638 cases annually between 2021 and 2025.
How many heat-related deaths occurred in South Korea in 2024?
In 2024, 12 people died from heat-related illnesses between ipchu (7 August) and late August, while 1,299 people suffered heat-related illness during the same period — one of the highest single-season tallies in recent years.
What is ipchu and why is it significant in this context?
Ipchu is a date on the traditional East Asian calendar that marks the beginning of autumn; it fell on 7 August this year in South Korea. Government researchers use it as the start point for tracking late-summer heat illness data, making it a consistent annual benchmark for year-on-year comparisons.
What is the current heat illness situation in South Korea this season?
As of the latest data, the government's monitoring system — active since 15 May — has logged 3,089 heat-related illness cases and 26 deaths this season. On a single day this week, 202 people were treated in emergency rooms nationwide and 3 died. Heat waves are forecast to continue through late August, with temperatures of 31–35°C expected across the country.
What did President Lee Jae Myung announce separately on Saturday?
President Lee Jae Myung pledged on Saturday to review government policies that may disadvantage young married couples in housing loans and welfare benefits. In a post on X, Lee said young people should never be discouraged from marrying due to government policy and that he had ordered a thorough review of any such disadvantages.
