"Is It an Error?" Residents Question: Is Daegu No Longer the Hottest Place?

[Anchor] When people think of the hottest place in the country, Daegu usually comes to mind first. But is there actually somewhere even hotter?

[Reporter] Yes, though it is near Daegu. It is Hayang-eup in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do.

Since 2006, Hayang-eup has seen daytime highs exceed 38°C almost every summer, and in July 2012, temperatures even soared to 40.6°C.

Because of this, residents raised questions, asking, "Is the observation equipment installed on the roof of the town office causing the temperature to be measured higher than it actually is?" The Korea Meteorological Administration even moved the equipment to a different location in 2013, but the intense heat persisted.

Last Saturday, the daytime high in Hayang reached 39.9°C, the highest in the nation.

On that day, a major heat wave warning was issued for Gyeongsan, where Hayang is located, and Pohang, marking the first time such a warning was issued in the country this year.

The Korea Meteorological Administration analyzed, "The Hayang area is surrounded by mountains such as Palgongsan, which traps hot air and prevents it from escaping. Combined with intense sunlight and surface radiation, temperatures there rise significantly higher than in other regions."

(Source: Korea Meteorological Administration)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.