STORY: South Korea issued an emergency heatwave warning on Sunday (July 12) for the southeastern cities of Gyeongsan and Pohang, the first activation of the country's new extreme-weather alert system introduced in June.

Temperatures in the region were forecast to reach as high as 39 degrees Celsius (102.2°F), according to the Korea Meteorological Administration. The warning took effect in the two cities at 10:00 a.m. (0100 GMT).

Under the new system, an extreme heat warning is issued when a region records a maximum perceived temperature of 35°C or higher for at least two consecutive days and is forecast to reach a perceived temperature of 38°C or an actual temperature of 39°C or above for at least one additional day.

Temperatures climbed to 37°C in both cities on Sunday afternoon, marking the highest readings of the day, KMA data showed.

The weather agency said hot conditions were expected to persist into Monday (July 13).

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: GYEONGSAN, SOUTH KOREA (JULY 12, 2026) (YONHAP NEWS TELEVISION - No use South Korea)

1. SUN RAY SEEN THROUGH TREE FOLIAGE

2. SAFETY ADVISORY TEXT MESSAGE FROM MINISTRY OF INTERIOR AND SAFETY WARNING ABOUT EXTREME HEATWAVE

3. PARK WITH RIVER

4. PERSON HOLDING UMBRELLA WALKING ON BRIDGE

5. PERSON HOLDING UMBRELLA WALKING

6. PERSON SEATED IN PAVILION

7. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE FANNING THEMSELVES IN PAVILION

8. COOLING MIST BEING SPRAYED AT PARK

9. CHILD POSING AMID COOLING MIST

10. PEOPLE WEARING CAPS AND HATS, CHILDREN ASTRIDE THEIR BICYCLES, AS HEAT HAZE RISES FROM THE PAVEMENT

11. PEOPLE WALKING AT PARK

12. PEOPLE WALKING WHILE HOLDING UMBRELLA

13. PERSON DRINKING WATER ON PAVEMENT WHERE HEAT HAZE RISES

14. HEAT HAZE RISING FROM GROUND