South Korea Declares Heat Wave a National Disaster Amid Rising Death Toll
South Korea is experiencing a severe heat wave, prompting President Lee Jae Myung to declare it a national disaster. Since mid-May, the country has reported 19 heat-related deaths and over 2,220 cases of heat-related illnesses. The heat wave has also resulted in significant livestock losses, with over 17,140 animals and 160,000 farmed fish dying. Temperatures have soared to record highs, with the southeastern city of Yangsan reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius, the highest since weather records began in 1904. The extreme heat has led to the cancellation of professional baseball games and advisories for citizens to avoid outdoor activities. 
