Seoul: The number of heat-related illness cases reported in late summer has nearly tripled over the past ten years, according to government data released on Saturday.

According to Yonhap News Agency, an analysis by a research institute under the interior ministry, using data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, revealed that the annual average of heat-related patients reported from "ipchu" to the end of August was 215 during the 2011-2015 period. Ipchu, which this year falls on August 7, marks the beginning of autumn on the traditional calendar.

The data shows a significant increase in cases, with an annual average of 658 reported from 2016-2020, and 638 cases from 2021-2025. Additionally, deaths linked to heat-related illnesses have risen, from an annual average of 3.3 deaths in 2012-2015 to more than four deaths annually over the past decade from 2016 to 2025.

In 2024 alone, 1,299 individuals suffered from heat-related illnesses, with 12 fatalities recorded from ipchu to late August. Forecasts indicate that heat waves will persist until late August this year, with daytime temperatures expected to range from 31-35 degrees Celsius across the country.