Heat waves kill 23 in South Korea, gov't raise 'serious' warning

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By The South Asia Times

SEOUL - At least 23 people have died due to the ongoing heat wave in South Korea as the East Asian nation faces severe hot weather, local media said on Wednesday.

With two new death, the total number of casualties from heat wave-related incidents raised to 23 since May, Yonhap News Agency reported.

On Tuesday, South Korean government raised its heatwave warning to "serious," the highest level in the four-stage warning system, for the first time in four years.

A serious-level alert is issued when daily high temperatures remain at 35 C or higher in many parts of the country for at least three days or when daily highs remain at 38 C or higher in some parts of the nation for at least three days, according to agency.