SEOUL, July 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - South Korea issued its first-ever emergency heatwave alert on Sunday under a new warning system introduced this year, advising people to halt outdoor activities and keep cool.

Under the new system, an emergency heatwave alert is issued when areas already meeting the criteria for a heatwave warning are forecast to see perceived temperatures of at least 38C or temperatures of at least 39C for just one day.

The new warning system was introduced to better deal with a rising number of heatwaves in South Korea, which have become longer and more intense, officials said.

"The Korea Meteorological Administration issued an Emergency Heatwave Warning at 10 am today (GMT 0100) for two cities in southern North Gyeongsang Province - Gyeongsan and Pohang," said chief Lee Mi-seon at a press briefing.

"This marks the first time it has been issued since the system took effect," she added.

The affected areas saw temperatures reach the emergency criteria over the weekend, Lee said.

"An emergency heatwave warning does not simply mean the weather is extremely hot," Lee said.

"It indicates conditions in which even healthy people face a significantly elevated risk of serious harm, including heat-related illness and death."

Under the emergency warning, people engaged in outdoor activities should stop immediately and move to a cool place, she said.

"Please make sure no one -- including children or pets -- has been left inside a vehicle."