On the afternoon of the 10th, at Tapgol Park in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the highest daytime temperature reported by the Korea Meteorological Administration was 36.3 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature measured directly by a reporter at this park was 38.3 degrees Celsius.
Lee Mo (73) said, "These days, the weather is so hot that I don’t see my friends who usually take the subway from Gyeonggi’s Yeoncheon and Incheon." The hot weather this week has left Tapgol Park, a 'hot place' for those in their 70s and 80s, almost empty.
◇ Hundreds of people in their 70s and 80s used to gather at Tapgol Park, but visits have sharply declined due to the extreme heat.
At Tapgol Park, a free meal service used to operate, and at around noon, hundreds of people would line up waiting every day. After that, elderly people in their 70s and 80s would often play Go or chat within the park. However, as the heatwave continues, the scene in the park is changing markedly.
On the afternoon of the 10th, the area around the park was quiet. There were no sounds of Go being played or conversations among the elderly in their 70s and 80s. The number of elderly people found throughout the park was only about 20. They had sought refuge from the scorching sun under the shade of the trees.
A (64), the park manager, noted, "Since the intensity of the heatwave has increased this week, the number of visitors has noticeably decreased. It seems that most of those who come here are elderly, so they are likely concerned about their health."
◇ Seeking refuge from the heat at nearby subway stations... "It's cooler at Incheon Airport."
Elderly people in their 70s and 80s who usually visited Tapgol Park could be seen at the nearby Jongno 3-ga subway station. The temperature inside the station was 32 degrees Celsius, 6 degrees lower than in the park. The reporter's body temperature rose to 37 degrees in the park but dropped to 36.3 degrees inside the station. It takes only 4 minutes to walk to the station after having a free meal at Tapgol Park.
Jung Mo (76), who was sitting on the station floor, said, "At home, I'm scared of the air conditioning bill, and I feel lonely being alone," adding, "Being over 65 years old, I can come here using the subway without paying a fare and can meet my friends, so I come every day."
Sung Mo (58), who runs a street stall, said, "Normally at this time, people would be wandering around the park, but these days, they are gathering here (at the subway station)."
There are also instances of people taking the subway to Incheon Airport to escape the heat. Choi Mo (72) mentioned, "There are friends who take the airport train to the more comfortable Incheon Airport" and added, "Incheon Airport is cooler and the facilities are better."