Japan and South Korea are enduring one of the most severe heat waves in recent years, with record-breaking temperatures claiming lives, damaging agriculture, disrupting daily activities and raising growing concerns over the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.

South Korea has been particularly hard hit. According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, at least 19 people have died from heat-related causes this summer, while more than 2,000 others have suffered heat-related illnesses since mid-May.

The Korea Meteorological Administration said temperatures have repeatedly exceeded 40 degrees Celsius in some areas. Yangsan, located in the country’s southeast, registered 42.5 degrees Celsius, setting a new national record since modern observations began more than a century ago.

At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said the ongoing heat wave should be considered a "national disaster," urging the government to mobilize all available resources to protect the public and instructing relevant authorities to step up emergency response measures, support vulnerable groups and secure power supplies amid rising demand.

Across the country, local governments have expanded cooling centers, increased welfare checks on elderly residents living alone and advised outdoor workers to avoid prolonged exposure during the hottest hours of the day. Health authorities have repeatedly urged the public to stay hydrated, use air conditioning when possible and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms of heatstroke develop.

The prolonged heat has also inflicted heavy losses on the agricultural sector. Tens of thousands of livestock, including poultry and pigs, have died from heat stress, while aquaculture farms have reported significant fish mortality as water temperatures continue to rise. Farmers are also facing concerns over crop damage caused by persistent high temperatures and drought conditions.

Neighboring Japan is facing similarly challenging conditions. The country's meteorological agency has issued repeated heatstroke alerts as temperatures remain well above seasonal averages across wide areas. According to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, more than 18,000 people were taken to hospitals with suspected heatstroke during a single week in late July, highlighting mounting pressure on emergency medical services.

The extreme weather has also affected wildlife. According to CNN, three female African lions at Tokyo's Tama Zoological Park died within a week after showing symptoms consistent with heat-related illness. Zoo officials said several other lions became lethargic and lost their appetite during the period of intense heat, prompting veterinarians to provide around-the-clock care and the zoo to temporarily close the lion exhibit.

Experts noted that although lions are native to hot regions, they are generally adapted to dry climates rather than Japan's hot and humid summer conditions, which may have intensified heat stress.

Meteorological agencies in both countries attributed the prolonged heat to persistent high-pressure systems dominating East Asia. Climate scientists meanwhile warned that human-induced climate change is increasing the likelihood, intensity and duration of extreme heat events worldwide, making heat waves more frequent and more dangerous.

With forecasts indicating that exceptionally high temperatures are likely to persist in the coming days, authorities in both Japan and South Korea have continued to urge residents to limit outdoor activities during peak daytime hours, drink sufficient water and pay particular attention to children, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions.

(With input from agencies)