Heat waves set in after the end of the rainy season — 1,399 heat-related illness cases and 8 deaths, home visit health care strengthened
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
From May 15 to July 26, 2026 there were 1,399 heat-related illness cases including 8 deaths, and the government is strengthening health care for groups vulnerable to heat through public health centers' home visit health care program and disclosing heat-related illness figures daily at 4 p.m. on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency website until September 30.
Key facts
| Heat-related illness cases this year | 1,399 from May 15 to July 26, 2026, of whom 8 died |
|---|---|
| Where cases occurred | Outdoors 81.8% (workplaces 26.2%, fields 15.9%, roadsides 12.4%) |
| Age | People aged 65 and older accounted for 30.2% of the total |
| Surveillance system disclosure | Disclosed daily at 4 p.m. on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency website (www.kdca.go.kr) until September 30 |
| Home visit health care | Public health centers nationwide check body temperature, blood pressure and dehydration symptoms, whether cooling appliances are working and indoor temperature, and give guidance on using heat shelters |
| Inquiries | Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Division of Climate Health and Health Hazard Preparedness (043-219-2951); Ministry of Health and Welfare, Health Policy Division (044-202-2807) |
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The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Ministry of Health and Welfare said that, as full-scale heat waves have begun after the end of the rainy season, they are strengthening health care for groups vulnerable to heat, such as older adults, through public health centers' home visit health care program. According to the agency's 'heat-related illness emergency room surveillance system,' there were 1,399 heat-related illness cases from May 15 to July 26, 2026, of whom 8 died. Outdoors accounted for the largest share of cases at 81.8%, and by age, people aged 65 and older accounted for 30.2%. Heat-related illness figures are disclosed daily at 4 p.m. on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency website until September 30.
Background — why this change
The Korea Meteorological Administration forecast that daytime temperatures would rise sharply nationwide from July 28, 2026, after the rainy season ended, with intense heat continuing. Results from the 2025 operation of the surveillance system show that after the period of heavy rain (July 16 to 20), heat-related illness cases rose from 199 to 1,295 and 10 deaths occurred. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency explained that older adults, people with disabilities, pregnant women, children and people with underlying conditions are more vulnerable to heat.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
How many heat-related illness cases have occurred this year?
There were a total of 1,399 heat-related illness cases from May 15 to July 26, 2026, of whom 8 died.
Where can I check heat-related illness figures?
They are disclosed daily at 4 p.m. on the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency website (www.kdca.go.kr) until September 30, the end of the operating period for the heat-related illness emergency room surveillance system.