[Anchor]

These days, everyday life is a struggle amid boiling heat. North Korea is also experiencing a heat wave, with daytime highs reaching up to 40 degrees Celsius in some regions.

Reporter Kim Ayeong brings us a look at how North Koreans are coping with the scorching weather.

[Reporter]


A man walks wearing a badge on his chest and sunglasses.

Another man blocks the sunlight with a fan while wearing sunglasses perched behind his ears.

As record-breaking heat waves continue in North Korea, even people wearing sunglasses—which were previously considered so-called "reactionary behavior"—have been captured on Korean Central Television.

North Korea's meteorological authorities have issued "sweltering heat and high-temperature warnings" for most regions since late last month.

[High-temperature phenomena of 35 to 40°C (95 to 104°F) are expected to persist in many areas of Pyongyang, North Pyongan Province, and Jagang Province, as well as areas south of the central region, through the 8th...]

The heat wave on the Korean Peninsula knows no division; on the 4th, Pyongyang's daytime high reached 36°C (97°F), breaking the record since weather observations began.

This is about 6 degrees higher compared to an average year.

Sinheung, South Hamgyong Province, an east coast region, recorded a daytime high of 39.8°C (104°F) on July 29th, soaring close to 40°C (104°F).

This means red flags have been raised across the board for residents' health, crop management, and wildfire prevention, and North Korean authorities are also closely monitoring the situation.

Korean Central Television has been broadcasting guides advising the use of personal equipment such as handheld electric fans and sunglasses,


[In addition, colored glasses block ultraviolet rays from directly entering the eyes and serve to prevent eyesight deterioration caused by strong sunlight.]

They are also introducing emergency response measures for when heatstroke and sunstroke patients occur.

However, the response methods seem quite different from our general common sense of having conscious patients drink water and sports drinks.

[It is said that crushing ginger, garlic, and lettuce and having them drink the juice is beneficial.]

Even amid the scorching heat, news continues to report that resident mobilization events are being held at outdoor performance venues, making it seem that getting through the heat wave is far from easy for North Korean residents.

(Video Editing: Cho Muhwan)