South Korea recorded its highest temperature on record on Sunday, with the mercury soaring to 42.5°C (108.5°F) in the southeastern city of Yangsan, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).
The reading marks the highest temperature ever recorded in the country since modern weather observations began on the Korean Peninsula in 1904, local media reported.
Yangsan, located about 310 kilometres southeast of Seoul, has now endured five consecutive days of temperatures above 40°C, prompting concerns that the heat could climb even higher.
In nearby Gyeongju, temperatures reached 40.2°C, marking the first time this year the city has recorded temperatures above the 40-degree mark.
In response to the extreme heat, the government activated a Level 2 emergency response, strengthening nationwide disaster management measures.
Prime Minister Han Seong-sook instructed government ministries and provincial authorities to intensify safety checks on vulnerable groups and ensure the stable supply of electricity and water as the heatwave continues.