What is the highest temperature recorded in South Korea during this heatwave?

In the city of Yangsan, a record temperature of 42.5°C was measured on August 2, 2026, the highest since modern measurements began.

How have extreme heat conditions affected agriculture in South Korea?

Potatoes literally boiled in the ground and began to disintegrate, and watermelon and strawberry crops were also damaged. Over 900,000 livestock and 1.4 million farmed fish died.

Which other countries have been affected by extreme heat?

Japan recorded temperatures above 40°C and declared its first 'extreme heat day,' Hong Kong recorded a record 36.9°C, China's Xinjiang region saw 50°C, and North Korea experienced tropical nights above 25°C.

World

Record Heat in East Asia Boils Potatoes in the Ground

B.D. · Prije 23h | 2 min

In South Korea, temperatures hit 42.5°C, devastating crops and killing over 900,000 livestock. Japan and Hong Kong also set temperature records, with scientists warning that such extremes are no longer exceptions.

Summary

South Korea's Yangsan city recorded a record 42.5°C, the highest temperature in the country since modern measurements began.
Potatoes literally boiled in the ground in Yanggu County, and over 900,000 livestock and 1.4 million farmed fish died.
Japan declared its first 'extreme heat day' for temperatures above 40°C, and Hong Kong recorded its highest temperature since 1884.
Scientists warn that such extremes are nearly impossible without the influence of global warming.

Make 5MIN.hr a preferred source

The extreme heatwave that swept through East Asia has caused unprecedented damage to agriculture, with potatoes literally boiling in the ground in South Korea. Farmers have been left without income, while temperatures have shattered records in Japan and Hong Kong.

Potatoes Disintegrate After Days of Heat

In South Korea's Yanggu County, potatoes became soft and began to disintegrate after just a few days of extreme temperatures. Farmer Lee Sang-hyuk described the scene: "They look like boiled potatoes. It's not just one or two fields."

On August 2, 2026, the South Korean city of Yangsan recorded 42.5°C, the highest temperature in the country since modern measurements began. According to reports from N1 Croatia, based on a Guardian report, the high temperatures have caused at least 31 deaths and have also led to the deaths of over 900,000 livestock and 1.4 million farmed fish.

Records Also in Japan and Hong Kong

In Japan, temperatures exceeded 40°C in multiple locations. The country declared its first "extreme heat day," a new category for temperatures above 40°C. In Tokyo, at the zoo, three lions died from suspected heatstroke.

In Hong Kong, the temperature reached 36.9°C, the highest since official measurements began in 1884. Extreme heat also affected China, where the Xinjiang region recorded 50°C, and North Korea, where nighttime temperatures exceeded 25°C, known as tropical nights.

Farmers Left Without Income

In Gwangju, watermelon producer Hong Kyung-hee lost a crop that had looked perfectly healthy just days earlier. "In my 50 years of farming, I've never seen anything like this," he said. Strawberry producers face similar challenges, and some losses are not covered by insurance policies, as the system in South Korea only covers specific crop types, cultivation methods, and areas.

Scientists Warn of Climate Change

According to research by Japan's Weather Attribution Centre, a heatwave like the one that hit Japan would have been nearly impossible without the influence of global warming. The World Meteorological Organization notes that from 1991 to 2025, Asia experienced a temperature increase roughly twice as fast as in the previous three decades.

Experts predict that heatwaves will become more frequent and intense, so in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, serious adaptation measures to climate change are needed.