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A cooling fog system is operating around Miryang Arirang Market in Miryang, South Gyeongsang Province on July 27. / Yonhap News

As the nationwide heat wave set in full force after the rainy season ended, the government raised the heat wave crisis warning to the highest level, 'Serious,' and activated the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety announced that as of 3 p.m. on July 27, it upgraded the heat wave disaster crisis warning to 'Serious' and activated the central headquarters headed by Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung.

The Korea Meteorological Administration predicted that sweltering heat and tropical nights will continue for the time being, with heat wave warnings taking effect in most parts of the country following the end of the rainy season in July. In some parts of the Yeongnam region, which received low rainfall, a 'Major Heat Wave Warning' was also issued.

The government is strengthening monitoring of vulnerable groups, including residents of flophouse villages, vulnerable elderly people, and the homeless, while checking the support status for cooling goods. It also plans to supervise compliance with heat wave safety rules, focusing on outdoor workers and vulnerable workplaces.

For elderly farmers, village heads and autonomous disaster prevention teams will directly check on their well-being and advise them to refrain from outdoor activities during daytime hours.

The operation and accessibility of air conditioners in heat wave reduction facilities, such as heat wave shelters and shade canopies, will also be re-checked. If tropical nights continue, local governments were requested to extend the operating hours of heat wave shelters late into the night.

Additional on-site situation managers will be dispatched to regions where major heat wave warnings have been issued. The affected regions will shorten the monitoring cycle for vulnerable groups and implement response measures such as adjusting the schedules of outdoor events and festivals.

The government decided to inspect social infrastructure such as roads and railways in advance to prevent disruptions in power supply due to the heat wave, while supporting the distribution of heat wave prevention facilities to livestock farms and the aquaculture industry.

Minister Yoon said, "Heat waves are disasters that hit vulnerable people even harder, such as residents of flophouse villages, elderly people living alone, and outdoor workers." He added, "We will do our utmost to prevent casualties by implementing thorough protection measures, such as expanding the operation of heat wave shelters."

                                                                                                        Kim Nam-hyung