Health ministry inspects drone heatwave checks in Asan

The health ministry said Monday Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong inspected Asan's drone-based heatwave system for outdoor workers, which urges people identified in vulnerable areas to rest indoors or use nearby cooling shelters.

The visit followed the ministry's June 3 plan to protect vulnerable groups during summer. The ministry said it was assessing whether frontline systems could identify people at risk early and quickly connect them with protection as heatwaves and torrential rain become more intense and frequent.

Officials also reviewed Asan's strengthened protections under a revised heatwave-warning system and discussed issues raised locally.

Asan flies drones fitted with AI video-analysis cameras and loudspeakers over rice fields and areas difficult to access by vehicle. When cameras detect people working outside, advice is broadcast to move indoors and rest, alerting responders if needed to steer them to a cooling shelter.

Jeong's voice was played through a drone's speaker, urging residents to avoid outdoor activity at the hottest time of day and drink enough water. She later checked air-conditioning and meal support at Guryeong 1-ri Senior Center, a cooling shelter.

"As local governments protect people's lives and safety through creative efforts and technological innovation using new tools such as drones, the government will closely examine local needs and actively support them so the public can remain healthy and safe through the end of summer," Jeong said.

The Korea Meteorological Administration introduced a top-level "heatwave severe warning" in June for forecasts of a daily maximum apparent temperature of at least 38 C or a maximum temperature of at least 39 C.

The national average number of heatwave days in 2021-2025 was 19, compared with eight in the 1970s, while tropical nights increased to 14 from four.