Heavy rains, extreme heat, and other rapidly changing weather conditions have become commonplace... ”It is important to increase accuracy through a detailed observation network” = South Korean media

"We feel a great sense of responsibility as extreme heat and torrential rains have become commonplace due to climate change," said Jang Dong-un, director of the Korea Meteorological Administration, who took office on the 1st of last month.
The reason is that the weather forecast in Korea has become more volatile since July, with many areas experiencing successive heat waves and heavy rains.
Minister Chang explained that he keeps in close contact with his subordinates and receives real-time weather reports.
He agreed that climate change is becoming the "new normal" and that the role of the Meteorological Agency is becoming increasingly important due to such changes in the climate.
According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, during this year's rainy season, torrential rains of over 100 mm per hour fell in various areas. On July 8, the Andong
In Andong and Sangju, 211.2 mm and 196.1 mm of rain fell respectively on the 10th of the same month in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province.
) 131.7 mm of rain fell in one hour, more than 10% of the annual rainfall (1,246 mm), making it a once-in-200-year downpour.
"There have been eight instances this summer where rainfall exceeded 100 millimeters per hour, which is unusual," Chan said. "This is unprecedented."
"Without any concrete measures in place, this can only be explained by climate change, and this type of weather has become commonplace," he said. "We have observed that the more severe the downpours, the more volatile the weather becomes," he added.
On July 20, a text message about heavy rains was issued in the Gwangju area, followed immediately by a heat wave warning.
"The more intense the fluctuations, the more we can feel the effects of climate change," he said. Just like the torrential rains, the heatwaves are also getting more intense. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the average number of days of extreme heat per year over the past 10 years (14 days) is the highest number in 50 years.
This is a 70% increase from the same period (July 9th). Since 1973, the most extreme heat days occurred in 2018 (July 31st), when 48 people died of heatstroke, and this heat is likely to be repeated this year.
According to Chang, the Korean Peninsula's climate is gradually deviating from normal perceptions and the statistics of the Korea Meteorological Administration.
Each region has its own unique characteristics, and weather forecasts are made by analyzing past phenomena in each region, but the linear precipitation bands that have recently appeared have never been seen before," he said. "Many people start to feel the rainy season around the end of July or early August.
"We think the rainy season will end and the heatwaves will begin, but then it could rain at any time. We need to change the way we think about the rainy season," he added.