▲ A farmer takes a break after removing weeds under the scorching sun in a rice paddy in the southeastern city of Daegu on Aug. 6, 2026, a day before "ipchu," the traditional marker of the beginning of autumn. (Yonhap)

(ATTN: UPDATES with details in last 2 paras)

SEOUL, Aug. 8 (Yonhap) -- The number of heat-related illness cases reported in late summer nearly tripled in the past 10 years, government data showed Saturday.

An annual average of 215 heat-related patients were reported from "ipchu" to the end of August during the 2011-2015 period, according to an analysis by a research institute under the interior ministry using data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

Ipchu, which falls on Aug. 7 this year, marks the beginning of autumn on the traditional calendar.

The figure rose to an annual average of 658 cases in 2016-2020 and to 638 cases in 2021-2025.

Deaths linked to heat-related illnesses also increased during the same period, rising from an annual average of 3.3 patients in 2012-2015 to more than four patients over the past decade from 2016 to 2025.

In 2024 alone, 1,299 people suffered from heat-related illnesses and 12 died from ipchu to late-August.

Heat waves are expected to continue until late August this year, with daytime highs expected to range from 31-35 C across the country.

On Friday alone, 202 people were treated at emergency rooms nationwide for heat-related illnesses, three of whom died, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).

The government has operated a heat-related illness monitoring system since May 15. Under the system, 3,089 heat-related illness cases have been reported, including 26 deaths.

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