Seoul: The Seoul metropolitan government announced a sweeping urban initiative to provide continuous shaded paths across all city sidewalks starting in 2028, framing extreme heat as a critical public safety disaster. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon unveiled the policy to guarantee people's "right to walk on shaded streets" during a press briefing at City Hall, stressing the urgency of the matter.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported that 31.4 percent of the 815 heat-related illness cases in Seoul between 2023 and 2025 occurred on streets. The city government plans to execute a three-step strategy of identifying vulnerable zones, establishing tailored shade solutions, and connecting walking routes.

Where possible, the city also plans to plant additional trees, and in other spaces, install seasonal awnings, canopies, and small shelters. When completed, the shaded paths will link residential areas to subway stations, schools, markets, hospitals, and parks.

Mayor Oh emphasized that shades will become a basic urban service rather than just a convenience facility in select places, aiming to protect the health and daily lives of citizens. The initiative will commence with a pilot program limited to 10 streets with high pedestrian traffic, set to run through 2027. Following an evaluation, the shade-covered pedestrian network will expand citywide in 2028.