▲ Seoul's emergency heatwave countermeasures meeting
With heatwaves expected to intensify further centering on the capital area this week, the Seoul Metropolitan Government held an emergency heatwave meeting this morning (August 3), presided over by Acting First Vice Mayor Jung Sang-hoon.
Held at the instruction of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, the meeting was attended by vice mayors and heads of offices and bureaus spanning disaster, welfare, health, and firefighting.
Meeting participants reviewed whether existing heatwave measures—previously centered around the Comprehensive Heatwave Support Situation Room—are functioning properly in the field and discussed ways to supplement any shortcomings.
They also decided to expand necessary measures in preparation for the prolonged heatwave.
According to the city, heatwave advisories and warnings have been in effect in Seoul since July 23, and sweltering weather with highs of 37°C (99°F) and maximum perceived temperatures of 36°C to 37°C (97°F to 99°F) is expected to persist this week.
As of August 1, a total of 162 heat-related illness cases have been reported in the Seoul region, including two deaths.
By location of occurrence, outdoor areas accounted for the vast majority with 129 cases.
As the heatwave continues, the city is operating an 8-team Comprehensive Heatwave Support Situation Room to monitor weather and damage conditions in real time.
For approximately 63,000 vulnerable health groups, including elderly people living alone, individuals with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses, the city will continue to check on their well-being through visiting nurses and other channels.
To protect outdoor workers, the city will continuously verify whether subcontractors, service providers, and commissioned work sites across its main office and 39 affiliated offices are implementing measures such as providing drinking water, rest breaks, and shade.
Protective measures are also being inspected at 56 construction sites commissioned by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. For low-income construction workers unable to work due to the heatwave, the city provides a "construction worker relief allowance" equivalent to the living wage for up to four hours a day, subject to certain conditions.
The operational status of heatwave shelters, such as cooling centers, was inspected on-site to ensure citizens can actually use them without inconvenience.
A total of 480 locations were inspected from July 27 to 29 regarding operating hours, entrance guidance, and the posting of grievance contact information, with areas needing improvement instructed to be addressed immediately by relevant autonomous districts and departments.
Shelters for mobile workers will have their operations extended through the weekend.
The city is supplying 100,000 bottles of ice water and 20,000 cooling towels, while actively publicizing shelter locations through map services such as Naver and Kakao.
To alleviate the urban heat island effect, road water-spraying is being conducted across 1,982 kilometers of major arterial and general roads by deploying 205 water-spraying trucks.
When a heatwave warning is in effect, operations are planned to be conducted up to five to six times a day, focusing on areas with high pedestrian traffic.
Acting Vice Mayor Jung urged officials, saying, "As the heatwave prolongs and grows more intense, we must meticulously examine the field and promptly expand necessary measures," adding, "Please monitor until the end to ensure all countermeasures do not just remain on paper but operate seamlessly on the ground."
He further stated, "We will mobilize all available financial resources, including special adjustment grants and disaster management funds, to broadly discover additional support projects, and proactively expand heatwave response support to ensure there are no gaps in protecting citizens."
(Photo provided by Seoul Metropolitan Government, Yonhap News)
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