South Korea heatwave reached a historic milestone on Sunday after the country recorded its highest temperature since weather records began more than a century ago.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), the southeastern city of Yangsan registered 42.5°C at 1:26pm local time (9:26am PKT), setting a new national temperature record.

Yangsan has remained at the centre of the country’s intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 40°C for five consecutive days.

The extreme weather has spread across much of South Korea, where many cities continue to experience temperatures in the high 30s. Authorities have placed more than 20 localities under emergency heatwave alerts, a warning category introduced this year to respond to rising temperatures more effectively.

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Officials issue an emergency heatwave alert when the perceived temperature is expected to reach 38°C or the actual temperature is forecast to hit 39°C for at least one day.

KMA data show that the country’s average number of annual heatwave days has increased significantly. Over the past five years, South Korea has experienced an average of 19 heatwave days each year, compared with just eight days annually during the 1970s.

A heatwave day is defined as one in which the maximum temperature reaches at least 33°C, while a tropical night occurs when overnight temperatures remain at 25°C or higher.

Climate scientists continue to warn that human-driven climate change is increasing the frequency, intensity, and duration of extreme weather events, including prolonged and record-breaking heatwaves around the world.