Seoul: The number of heat-related illness cases reported in late summer has nearly tripled over the past decade, as revealed by recent government data.

According to Yonhap News Agency, an annual average of 215 heat-related patients were reported from "ipchu" to the end of August during the 2011-2015 period. This data was derived from an analysis conducted by a research institute under the interior ministry, utilizing information from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Ipchu, marking the beginning of autumn on the traditional calendar, falls on August 7 this year.

The reported cases saw a significant rise to an annual average of 658 in the 2016-2020 period, and slightly decreased to 638 cases in 2021-2025. Alongside this increase, deaths linked to heat-related illnesses also rose, climbing from an annual average of 3.3 patients in 2012-2015 to more than four patients annually over the past decade, from 2016 to 2025.

In 2024 alone, 1,299 individuals suffered from heat-related illnesses, with 12 fatalities occurring from ipchu to late August. This year, heat waves are anticipated to persist until late August, with temperatures expected to reach daytime highs of 31-35°C across the country.

On a single day, Friday, 202 people were treated at emergency rooms nationwide for heat-related illnesses, with three fatalities reported, as per the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The government has been operating a heat-related illness monitoring system since May 15, under which 3,089 cases, including 26 deaths, have been reported so far.