The Korean Peninsula has turned into a massive furnace, with temperatures in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, exceeding 42 degrees Celsius, breaking the record for the highest temperature in the country’s 122-year meteorological history. The brutal heat is expected to persist for the foreseeable future.
As the heat wave continues, the safety and lives of citizens are at risk, and economic losses in agriculture and industry are escalating rapidly. This situation has surpassed the level of a mere "temporary summer heat" and is now recognized as a serious social and climate disaster that threatens national functions and social foundations. It is time for a comprehensive government response.
The extent of the damage has already crossed a critical threshold. The number of heat-related illnesses has surged, overwhelming emergency rooms with cases of heat stroke and exhaustion, putting vulnerable groups such as outdoor workers and the elderly in severe danger. The agricultural and fisheries sectors are also facing dire circumstances. Livestock farms across the country have reported the deaths of hundreds of thousands of chickens and pigs, while rising water temperatures have led to mass die-offs of fish in aquaculture along the southern and western coasts, undermining the primary industry. Coupled with drought, crop wilting is accelerating, threatening food prices. Electricity demand has also hit record highs, raising fears of blackouts and increasing concerns about widespread economic damage.
To overcome this urgent situation, a coordinated and specific response between the central and local governments is essential. Above all, a cooperative response system at the government level is crucial. A special response team for climate disasters, involving the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, should be activated immediately. Inter-ministerial ping-pong administration must be avoided, and if necessary, disaster safety special grants should be distributed early to enhance local governments' on-site response capabilities.
Local governments must establish an emergency system focused on the field. Immediate, on-site measures such as expanding the deployment of water trucks, extending the 24-hour operation of cooling centers, and providing emergency water supply support to farms and aquaculture facilities must be implemented. In particular, protective measures for vulnerable groups most affected by the heat wave should be more detailed and specific. Social workers, community leaders, and dedicated caregivers should be matched one-on-one with at-risk households, such as elderly individuals living alone, the homeless, and people with disabilities, to provide daily health checks through a "close care service."
Additionally, to assist energy-vulnerable groups who cannot even turn on air conditioning due to electricity costs, it is necessary to significantly expand the amount and eligibility for energy vouchers and to implement temporary electricity rate reductions during the heat wave period. For construction sites and outdoor workers, strict supervision must ensure that the "right to stop work during heat waves" is effectively guaranteed.
The climate change we are facing is no longer a distant warning but a clear national disaster that is imminent. Weather disasters in the era of climate crisis are expected to become more frequent and intense. The government must redefine heat waves and droughts as core issues in the national disaster management system and establish a proactive and overwhelming administrative and financial support system, moving away from reactive measures. Delayed support only exacerbates disasters. There should be no hesitation in making comprehensive administrative and financial investments to protect the lives of citizens and social assets.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.