Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
The Republic of Korea has developed a comprehensive and multi-tiered approach to managing extreme heat, integrating national policies, institutional frameworks, local government initiatives, and community-based actions.
National frameworks such as the Climate Change Adaptation Plan and the Basic Plan for the Promotion of Climate Change Response guide efforts to address extreme heat as part of broader climate resilience strategies.
The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) plays a key role by issuing heatwave warnings and impact-based heatwave forecasts , using an updated alert system based on Daily Maximum Perceived Temperature, which takes humidity into account to better reflect health impacts.
Additionally, the Korean Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), alongside the KMA, published the first Climate Health Impact Assessment Report in March 2022. In this report, published every five years, heat-related deaths and illnesses are identified as key health indicators to be monitored.
Collaboration among key institutions enables a coordinated response to heat risks across sectors-including health, industry, livestock, agriculture, and aquaculture-each managed by distinct governmental bodies, and consolidated guidelines have been given. Healthcare preparedness has been strengthened with the publication of the Climate Health Impact Assessment Report, which monitors heat-related illnesses and deaths. Hospitals and healthcare centres, particularly those with emergency services, have improved their capacity to manage heat-related conditions. Additionally, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Republic of Korea, has called for meetings with other governmental institutions across different sectors.
Local governments, especially in urban areas like Seoul, lead heat mitigation efforts through urban cooling strategies, public awareness campaigns, and the expansion of green spaces.
Initiatives include installing green roofs, promoting public transportation through the Climate Card programme, and constructing cooling stations in public areas to offer relief from heat.
Public-private partnerships have been instrumental in enhancing the country’s resilience to extreme heat. The Seoul Metropolitan Government collaborates with private real estate developers to implement green rooftops across the city, while telecommunications company SK Telecom partners with KMA to send real-time heatwave alerts to millions of subscribers.
Currently, emergency information about heatwaves is being provided through the cell broadcast service in Korea. Hyundai Motor Company collaborates with local governments in urban cooling projects, such as installing cooling stations in public areas. These stations provide cool air and water, offering relief to residents and visitors during heatwaves. LG Electronics partners with Seoul National University Hospital to develop and distribute advanced cooling technologies for healthcare facilities, ensuring hospitals are equipped with energy-efficient air conditioning systems that improve patient care during extreme heat periods. These examples demonstrate the impact of leveraging resources and expertise to enhance resilience to extreme heat.
On the international stage, the Republic of Korea partners with organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health, the Green Climate Fund, and the International Vaccine Institute-all located in the country-to advance knowledge and technical capacity for climate resilience. These collaborations contribute to their leadership in responding to extreme heat.
Through its coordinated approach involving national agencies, local governments, public-private partnerships, and international collaboration, the Republic of Korea has strengthened its ability to manage extreme heat. Key achievements include the updated heatwave alert system, localized urban cooling projects, and strengthened healthcare preparedness, positioning the country as a regional leader in climate adaptation.