UYal's blog

1. Prologue – “Is Daefrica Still That Hot?”

Every summer in Korea, one nickname always comes back: Daefrica (Daegu + Africa).
Once a synonym for unbearable heat, Daegu used to top the charts.
But these days? Cities like Ulsan, Hongcheon, and Uiseong are stealing the spotlight in weather reports.

So… which city is really the hottest in Korea now?

(Side note: I still remember sweating through military boot camp in Daegu—July recruit here…)

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2. Main Data – Hottest Days in Recent Years

Year	City (Province)	Temperature	Date
2018	Hongcheon (Gangwon)	41.0°C	August 1
2018	Uiseong (Gyeongbuk)	39.9°C	July 27
2021	Daegu	39.7°C	August 13
2023	Hapcheon (Gyeongnam)	39.5°C	Mid-August
2024	Ulsan (Nam-gu)	Estimated ~39.6°C	Mid-July

🌡️ Data based on Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Temperatures from private stations may vary slightly.

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3. Why Are These Cities So Hot?

• Inland basin geography: No wind escape route = heat trap (e.g. Daegu, Uiseong)
• Urban heat island effect: Concrete jungles, high-rises, and asphalt retain heat (e.g. Ulsan, Daejeon)
• Declining forest cover: Even once-green areas like Hongcheon are seeing development and rising temps
• Climate change: Overall, Korea’s summer highs are creeping upward every year

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4. Record-Breaking Heat – A Badge of Honor or a Red Flag?

The term “Daefrica” used to get a laugh,
but these days, record temperatures feel less like bragging rights and more like red alerts.
Rather than titles, shade shelters, urban trees, and community cooling systems are what matter now.

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5. Epilogue – Heat Is Still a Record Worth Noting

Maps are fun—aren’t they?
While we wait for this year’s final stats, the trend is clear: more red, more heat.
What started as a lighthearted curiosity—“Where’s the hottest city?”—
has turned into an annual reflection on climate, geography, and how we live.

🌡️ Will we break another record this year?

And hey, what happens when the air is hotter than your body temperature?

👉 What Happens to the Human Body in Heat? – Sauna Science & Physiology

☕ Liked this deep dive into Korean summer extremes?
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