Story perspectives

Heat Wave Claims 23 Lives, Cancels Korean Baseball Games

8/6/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Lee Jae Myung ordered an all-out mobilization as Seoul nears 39 °C, where 20 heat deaths have been recorded.
Yangsan hit 42.5 °C, the highest in 122 years, prompting the Korea Baseball Organization to cancel games from Wednesday through Sunday, first full-day weather shutdown.
Health officials logged 23 heat deaths, 2,665 illnesses and 1,900 treatments while authorities deployed 1,149 staff and 88 safety managers and linked the heat to Typhoon Dolphin’s winds.

History

Historical Context

In July 1995 a high-pressure ridge trapped humid air over Chicago, pushing O’Hare to 106 °F and causing over 750 deaths; Mayor Richard M. Daley mobilized 1,200 workers and the CDC recorded a 30 % rise in heat-related calls. In summer 2024 a similar dome raised Seoul to 39 °C and Yangsan to 42.5 °C, prompting President Lee Jae-myung to deploy 1,149 staff and cancel baseball games.

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Story summary

President Lee Jae Myung ordered an all-out mobilization as Seoul nears 39 °C, where 20 heat deaths have been recorded.
Yangsan hit 42.5 °C, the highest in 122 years, prompting the Korea Baseball Organization to cancel games from Wednesday through Sunday, first full-day weather shutdown.
Health officials logged 23 heat deaths, 2,665 illnesses and 1,900 treatments while authorities deployed 1,149 staff and 88 safety managers and linked the heat to Typhoon Dolphin’s winds.

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