<h1>How Climate Change is Transforming South Korea’s Weather and Its Impact on Daily Life</h1>

South Korea has been experiencing very different weather patterns depending on the region. While some areas struggle with floods caused by heavy rainfall, others are facing water shortages due to prolonged droughts. Even within the same country, these extreme weather conditions are directly affecting people’s daily lives.

 

Droughts and Floods Across Regions

 

Recently, South Korea has been severely impacted by both droughts and floods. In the popular tourist city of Gangneung, ongoing droughts have caused serious difficulties for local residents. News reports even mentioned that water was scarce for basic uses like toilets. On the other hand, regions such as Chungnam, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongnam have experienced record-breaking heavy rainfall, leading to flooding and damage. At the same time, some areas face drought while others are flooded, creating extreme regional contrasts.

 

Moreover, the Korean Peninsula is experiencing increasingly hotter summers every year. The combination of heat and humidity makes the temperatures feel even more intense. I remember seeing a foreign family visiting Korea in early August; their cheeks were bright red as they said, “Korea is so hot!” while riding the subway.

 

Compared to previous generations, these phenomena are noticeably different. Summers were hot and winters cold, but even in the hottest months, children could still play outside comfortably. There were rainy periods during the monsoon season, but sudden, short, and intense downpours like today’s squalls were much less common.

A sudden downpour hit while I was returning home, soaking my bag and clothes. Nearby homes suffered severe flooding, and the rain was so intense I had to capture it in a photo.(Photo by Milly) 

More Than Just Weather Changes

 

The extreme weather occurring in South Korea is not just a natural variation—it is a direct consequence of global warming and climate change. Rising temperatures and shifts in atmospheric balance are causing extreme weather patterns even within the same country.

 

If these trends continue, the effects go beyond mere inconvenience. They threaten ecosystems, reduce agricultural productivity, strain water management systems, and create challenges for urban planning. The most vulnerable populations are often affected first. People living in unstable housing may face flood damage, and rising food prices due to poor harvests can impact low-income households. Ultimately, climate change affects the structure of society as a whole.

 

Responding to Climate Change

 

Many South Koreans are already mindful of environmental issues in their daily lives. Recycling habits are well established, and a few years ago, initiatives to ban plastic straws and single-use cups in cafes gained traction (though some were later discontinued).

 

However, individual action alone is not enough. Social economy enterprises are taking further steps to address climate change.

 

👉Programs for environmental protection, such as collecting marine debris or picking up trash during walks

👉Offering products made from recycled resources, promoting the circular economy

 

Citizens who support social economy initiatives can participate in these programs or choose resource-recycling products, contributing to climate action.

 

At first, I thought the term “climate crisis” had nothing to do with me. But after personally experiencing related problems and reporting on changemakers in the social economy sector, I realized that even small actions could make a difference, and I needed to act.

 

I hope readers of this article will start taking small steps in their daily lives. Even modest efforts today can help ensure that, decades from now, the Earth we live on is healthier than it is today.