Seoul Turns Into a Furnace! Korean Meteorological Administration Issues 'Severe Warning,' KBO Cancels Two Days of Games

South Korea is currently facing extreme high temperatures, prompting the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) to issue a statement today announcing the cancellation of all first and second division games scheduled for today and tomorrow in response to nationwide heat conditions. The league emphasized that fan and team member safety is paramount and confirmed that an emergency executive committee meeting will be held tomorrow, attended by team managers and representatives from the Korean Professional Baseball Players Association, to discuss comprehensive countermeasures against extreme heat.

In recent days, a severe heatwave has hit South Korea. Today, 65% of the capital region is under a 'Severe Heat Warning,' with some areas recording peak temperatures reaching 39 degrees Celsius. The government has repeatedly sent mobile alerts urging citizens to avoid outdoor activities.

Numerous foreign tourists dressed in traditional Korean hanbok take photos in Seoul. (AP)

The KBO stated today that ongoing high temperatures across the country have placed spectators and team personnel at significant safety risk, and the league is treating the situation with utmost seriousness. The upcoming emergency committee will prioritize the safety of fans and team members, discussing overall operational policies and safety measures for the league during periods of extreme heat. Until such safety protocols are established, the KBO has decided to cancel all KBO League and Futures League (second division) games originally scheduled for today and tomorrow.

Yesterday, the KBO released a tiered system for game cancellations based on heat levels: games proceed as planned when a 'Heat Advisory' is issued; when a 'Heat Warning' is issued, the home team may delay the start time by up to one hour; and when the newly introduced 'Severe Heat Warning' by the Korea Meteorological Administration is issued this year, games will be canceled by 1:00 PM, prioritizing the safety of spectators and team members.

According to the JoongAng Ilbo, during yesterday’s game between the SSG Landers and LG Twins, a man in his 20s fainted due to heat-related symptoms before the start of the ninth inning and was urgently transported on a stretcher; after the game concluded, another man in his 20s received emergency treatment for heatstroke symptoms.