▲ A merchant cools off with a fan at Seomun Market in Jung-gu, Daegu.
The heatwave map of Daegu and the surrounding Gyeongbuk region, long symbolized by the nickname Daefrica (a portmanteau of Daegu and Africa) as the hottest place in the country, is changing.
Recently, record-breaking high temperatures exceeding those of Daegu have been reported in various parts of the Gyeongbuk inland and the East Coast, including Gyeongsan, Pohang, Gyeongju, Yeongdeok, and Uiseong. This indicates that heatwaves are spreading across the entire Gyeongbuk province rather than being confined to a specific city.
This has led to speculation that the era of extreme heat is upon us.
According to meteorological authorities and local governments on July 12, Daefrica has been a nickname symbolizing Daegu as the hottest city in the country since the early 2010s.
The daytime high of 40°C (104°F) observed in Daegu on August 1, 1942, has been cited as the nation's representative heatwave record for over 80 years.
Due to its basin topography, Daegu has been considered the hottest region in the country every summer.
However, the pattern of these heatwaves has been changing slightly over the past few years.
As daily high temperatures in various parts of the Gyeongbuk inland and East Coast have begun to exceed those of Daegu, the risk of heatwaves is expanding from a specific point—Daegu—to the entire Gyeongbuk region.
According to data on daily high temperatures (extreme values) from Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) stations, the highest temperature recorded in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk area is 40.4°C (104.7°F) in Uiseong.
Uiseong recorded 40.4°C (104.7°F) on August 1, 2018, and 40.3°C (104.5°F) on the 14th of the same month, claiming both the first and second spots for the highest temperatures ever recorded in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region.
Daegu's 40°C (104°F) record from August 1, 1942, now ranks third in the region and tied for sixth nationwide.
However, some point out that caution is needed when interpreting Daegu's all-time high temperature record.
The Daegu Regional Meteorological Administration relocated its office from Sinam-dong, Dong-gu, to Hyomok-dong in 2013.
The 40°C (104°F) record from 1942 was measured at the Sinam-dong observatory, while official temperatures for Daegu announced since then are observed at the current office location.
Recently, record-breaking high temperatures have continued in the Gyeongbuk region.
Yeongdeok recorded 39.9°C (103.8°F) on August 5, 2018; Gyeongju recorded 39.8°C (103.6°F) on August 4 of the same year; Yeongcheon recorded 39.6°C (103.3°F) on August 13, 2016; and Pohang recorded 39.4°C (102.9°F) on August 4, 2018.
Andong reached 38.9°C (102°F) on July 27, 2018; Uljin hit 38.6°C (101.5°F) on July 6, 2025; and Sangju set a new record of 38.5°C (101.3°F) on August 15, 2018.
Gumi recorded 38.3°C (100.9°F) on July 7, 2025, and Cheongsong reached 38.2°C (100.8°F) on August 1, 2025, marking the highest temperatures since observations began.
Looking at the national scale, the all-time high temperature is 41°C (105.8°F), recorded in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, on August 1, 2018.
On the same day, North Chuncheon ranked second with 40.6°C (105.1°F), and Uiseong ranked third nationwide with 40.4°C (104.7°F).
Apart from official observation records, even higher temperatures have been observed by Automatic Weather Systems (AWS).
Sinnyeong in Yeongcheon recorded 41°C (105.8°F) on August 4, 2018, and Hayang in Gyeongsan soared to 40.6°C (105.1°F) on July 31, 2012.
Although not included in official observation records, these figures demonstrate that extreme heatwaves exceeding 40°C (104°F) have occurred in various parts of Gyeongbuk.
Beyond Daegu and Gyeongbuk, temperatures exceeding 40°C (104°F) have been observed by AWS across the country.
On August 1, 2018, Toechon-myeon in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, recorded 42.1°C (107.8°F); Chowol-eup in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province, recorded 41.9°C (107.4°F); and Suyu-dong in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, recorded 41.8°C (107.2°F).
On August 4 of last year, Geumsa-myeon in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, also soared to 41.6°C (106.9°F).
Heatwave response systems are also changing.
The Korea Meteorological Administration introduced a "Severe Heatwave Warning" this year and issued its first such warning for Gyeongsan and Pohang on this day.
A Severe Heatwave Warning is issued when it is expected that a situation with a "daily maximum sensible temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher" or a "daily maximum temperature of 39°C (102.2°F) or higher" will continue for at least one day in an area where "a daily maximum sensible temperature of 35°C (95°F) or higher has continued for two or more days."
This measure is interpreted as a reflection of the fact that while Daegu was once considered the symbol of heatwaves, the risk has recently expanded to the Gyeongbuk inland and the East Coast.
An official from the Korea Meteorological Administration stated, "Recent heatwaves are showing a trend of expanding spatial coverage and increasing persistence," adding, "The high-temperature phenomenon, which was once limited to specific regions, is now clearly appearing not only in Daegu but also across the Gyeongbuk inland and the East Coast."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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