East Asia Gripped by Deadly Heatwave as Temperatures Reach Record Highs

South Korea declares national disaster as fatalities rise and extreme heat continues to impact Japan and the Korean Peninsula.

A relentless and 'cruelly hot' summer is gripping East Asia, with Japan and the Korean Peninsula currently bearing the brunt of a record-breaking heatwave. The extreme temperatures have prompted urgent safety warnings and have begun to take a significant toll on both human life and local ecosystems. In South Korea, the situation has reached a critical stage. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, has officially labeled the ongoing heatwave a 'national disaster' as the death toll linked to heat-related illnesses has climbed to 19. The government has responded by expa…