42.5°C (109°F).

It was the highest temperature recorded in 122 years since modern meteorological observations began.

This was the situation in Yangsan, Gyeongsangnam-do, on August 2, 2026.

It suddenly made me curious.

What was the temperature in Africa on the same day?

Checking the global weather status uploaded by the Korea Meteorological Administration, unbelievable as it may seem, in Niger—where heat was reported to be soaring that day—the highest temperature in the northern region was 41°C (106°F), while the southern region hovered in the upper 30s°C (high 90s°F).

Moreover, Africa's average temperature in August was in the 30s°C (80s to 90s°F), and several countries in the East African region recorded between 40°C and 42°C (104°F to 108°F) in July.

Of course, due to Africa's geographical characteristics, temperature distribution varies depending on location and season.

So, Daeprica? Yangprica? South Korea has now reached a point where it is even hotter.

Furthermore, this record-breaking heat wave in the Yangsan area is reportedly moving northward toward Seoul and the Chungcheong regions. The reasons behind this heat wave and when it might end were covered in detail in <Mug Insight>.

(Reported and produced by Jo Gi-ho | Edited by Kim Hye-ju | Design by Cho Seung-hyun and Chae Ji-woo | Assistance by Jung Seo-woo | Production: Knowledge Contents IP Team)