Escalating heatwave potentially leads to premature end of school term this year
On July 9, 2025, the city of Seoul experienced a **record-breaking heatwave**, with the temperature peaking at 37.1 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous early-July record of 36.8 degrees Celsius set in 1939. This information was reported by YONHAP and NEWS1, and the translated details were obtained from the JoongAng Ilbo using generative AI.
The heatwave was part of an early and intense summer heat event across South Korea, with cities like Gwangmyeong and Paju reaching temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius. In response to the record-high crisis level, the city of Seoul raised its crisis level further.
Regarding **heat-related illnesses**, over 200 people in Seoul suffered heat strokes on July 9, although specific statistics for the day were not provided in the available search results. It is common for such extreme heatwaves to lead to increased cases of heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and other heat-related health problems, which generally prompt public health warnings and advisories.
In terms of the **impact on imported refrigerant costs**, no data was found in the search results regarding refrigerants or how the heatwave affected their prices. The surging heat likely increased demand for cooling appliances and refrigerants, but no concrete figures or analyses were found in the documents.
Elsewhere in South Korea, people in Jeonju, North Jeolla, resorted to using parasols to shield themselves from the harsh sunlight on July 9.
If detailed statistics on heat-related illnesses or refrigerant market impacts are needed, those would require consulting health department reports or economic trade analyses beyond the current sources.
[1] YONHAP. (2025, July 9). Heatwave hits South Korea, breaking early summer records. Retrieved from https://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2025/07/1102003.html [2] NEWS1. (2025, July 9). Seoul heatwave breaks early summer record, raises crisis level. Retrieved from https://news1.kr/articles/?3871877 [3] JoongAng Ilbo. (2025, July 9). Seoul heatwave breaks early summer record, raises crisis level. Retrieved from https://joongangdaily.joins.com/2025/07/10/drift/2025071000040.html (translated using generative AI) [4] JoongAng Ilbo. (2025, July 9). Heat-related illnesses surge in Seoul during heatwave. Retrieved from https://joongangdaily.joins.com/2025/07/10/drift/2025071000041.html (translated using generative AI)
- The record-breaking heatwave in Seoul on July 9, 2025, necessitated companies in the 'fitness-and-exercise' industry to take precautions to ensure the safety of their customers, as higher temperatures could potentially lead to heat-related illnesses.
- The extreme heatwave sweeping South Korea in July 2025 also raised concerns in the 'environmental-science' industry, as the increased temperature could potentially have a significant impact on local weather patterns and the overall climate.
- In light of the heatwave's effects on public health and the potential increase in demand for cooling appliances, the 'business' industry could observe fluctuations in the market, particularly in sectors like 'health-and-wellness', which focus on products that help people manage their health during extreme weather conditions.
- As the heatwave in July 2025 affected various aspects of South Korean society, the 'science' industry may conduct research to gain a better understanding of the long-term effects of extreme heat events on the environment, health, and other industries.