[Anchor]

As the monsoon rains have ceased, sweltering heat has descended upon the entire country as if the rain never happened. In Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the temperature neared 40°C (104°F), and the first heat wave warning of the year was issued for Seoul.

Reporter Han Sung-hee captures the scenes of citizens in the sweltering heat.

[Reporter]

At 2:00 p.m., as the heat trapped in the ground radiates directly into the atmosphere, the Han River swimming pool is bustling with citizens looking to cool off.

[Jeon Sang-hyeok: My exams ended last week, so I came here to celebrate, and because it is so hot today.]

[Lee Ga-eun: I want to jump into the water right away. It is so hot.]

Despite the stinging sunlight, laughter fills the water.

[Yoo Eun-cheon: If I stay at home, I sweat just by sitting still, but the water temperature is just right and it feels great. It is refreshing.]

Citizens who have turned the shade under the Hangang Bridge into a summer retreat are soothing the sweltering heat by dipping their feet in the water.

[Shin Eun-soo: It is extremely hot. But it feels cool when I dip my feet in the water.]

A heat wave warning was issued for the southeastern and southwestern parts of Seoul as of 2:00 p.m.

This is the first heat wave warning issued in Seoul this summer. A heat wave warning is issued when the highest perceived temperature is expected to exceed 35°C (95°F) for two or more consecutive days.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has upgraded its heat wave response system from the Caution level to the Alert level and has begun expanding the operation of its comprehensive heat wave support situation room.

Today (July 11), the daytime high temperatures reached 32.6°C (91°F) in Seoul, 37.3°C (99°F) in Daegu, 36.4°C (98°F) in Gumi, 35.9°C (97°F) in Jeonju, 35.5°C (96°F) in Gangneung, and 33°C (91°F) in Busan, while Hayang-eup in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do, soared to 39.9°C (104°F).

Due to high humidity, the perceived temperature in most parts of the country exceeded 33°C (91°F).

Most regions across the country, excluding mountainous areas in Gangwon-do, are under the influence of heat wave advisories. The Korea Meteorological Administration has urged the public to refrain from strenuous outdoor activities during the day and to take care of their health by drinking plenty of water.

(Video coverage: Jang Woon-seok, Oh Won-seok from KNN, Seong Nak-joong from TJB | Video editing: Lee Sang-min)