“Ah, it's hot. If it's already this hot, how am I supposed to survive this summer?”
On the afternoon of the 21st, known as the minor grain solar term, a woman in her 20s crossing a crosswalk in Jung-gu, Seoul, said this. Other citizens passed by, shielding themselves from the sun with bags, umbrellas, and mobile phones. Some were using flyers from the street as makeshift sunshades.
At 5:53 a.m. that day, the lowest temperature in Seoul was 23 degrees Celsius, the highest recorded for May since modern weather observations began in October 1907. The temperature kept rising. Around 1 p.m. that day, Nowon District recorded 31.2 degrees, Gwangjin District 30.9 degrees, Gangdong District 30.4 degrees, and Gangseo District 30.1 degrees.
Park, a man in his 30s whom I met in Jung-gu, Seoul, said, “I went out for a quick walk during lunch break and unexpectedly got sunburned, so I hurriedly bought and applied sunscreen.”
Jin, a man in his 40s wearing a suit, said, “Last night was too humid, and today is too hot,” adding, “I think I will have to wear short sleeves to work starting tomorrow.”
A woman in her 30s working in an office said, “The office has centralized heating and cooling, but despite the heat, they don’t turn on the air conditioning,” and noted, “Even with the windows open and using a fan, I'm still sweating.”
In buses and subways, several citizens were seen holding handheld fans. Two students in school uniforms hurriedly boarded the subway, fanning themselves, and upon seeing the sign saying ‘cooling area,’ moved to another car.
Foreign tourists also appeared weary from the heat. A couple in their 30s, sitting at a coffee shop near Jung-gu, Seoul, told their hurried guide, “It’s too hot, we’re struggling. We'll join you after a short break.” They, who visited Korea for vacation, also asked, “Is Korea always this hot?”
A middle-aged foreign woman passing by Gwanghwamun, wearing a hanbok, held her jeogori in her hand and walked around only with her skirt on. While fanning herself with her hand and grimacing, she wiped the sweat from her forehead.
Such heat is expected to continue until the 22nd. A Korea Meteorological Administration official said, “As the high pressure moves far to the east and low pressure moves in, temperatures will drop again by the 23rd.”