Deadly Heat Wave Hits North Korea: Over 1,000 Illnesses and Livestock Losses Reported

In North Korea, the ongoing heat wave is causing a sharp increase in heat-related illnesses and significant harm to domestic animals.

On Saturday, internal sources from North Korea reported to SPN that “especially in rural areas, the mortality rate among vulnerable groups, including elderly farmers, women, and children, has increased this summer.”

Sources indicated that “as of the 20th of this month, there have been over 1,000 heat-related illnesses reported in South Pyongan and North Hwanghae provinces, with dozens of fatalities.”

“Most of the heat-related illness cases involve agricultural workers working in the farmlands, and the number of female patients is also rising,” they added.

Amid these conditions, reports indicate that livestock deaths have surged in North Korea’s rural farms this summer due to the extreme heat and African swine fever.

Local livestock authorities have reported that the mortality rate for pigs and chickens has surged into the thousands. The primary causes of death include livestock diseases like African swine fever, exacerbated by high temperatures and inadequate barn facilities.

This summer, several regions in North Korea are also facing a severe outbreak of lumpy skin disease among cows.

Areas like Kaechon, Pukchang, Anju, and Tokchon have reported significant damage.

Lumpy skin disease first emerged in September of last year in coastal areas of South Hwanghae Province and has since led to over 200 confirmed cases in South Pyongan Province as of July.