SEOUL, South Korea – In a proactive move to combat the anticipated severe heatwaves this summer, the South Korean government has partnered with ten major private enterprises to open thousands of their business locations as public cooling centers. The Ministry of Interior and Safety announced on Tuesday a collaborative agreement aimed at significantly increasing accessibility to safe havens from the scorching temperatures.

The unprecedented initiative will see approximately 7,820 branches and retail outlets of prominent financial institutions and the leading retailer E-Mart designated as official cooling centers. The participating entities include the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF), the National Federation of Saemaeul Geumgo (NFSG), alongside major banks such as NH NongHyup Bank, KB Kookmin Bank, Woori Bank, Hana Bank, Shinhan Bank, and the National Credit Union Federation of Korea (NACUFOK), as well as the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives (Suhyup).

This expansion addresses a critical gap in the current network of around 60,000 cooling centers nationwide, where the majority (approximately 45,000) are located in facilities primarily intended for specific demographics, such as senior citizen centers. This limited accessibility has posed challenges for the general public seeking refuge from extreme heat.

Under the newly forged agreement, these private sector partners will provide easily accessible spaces for all citizens to escape the heat and take a break. To ensure ease of identification, clear signage will be installed at the participating locations. Furthermore, these centers will maintain comfortable temperatures and a clean environment during their operating hours, which will align with the regular business hours of each respective branch or store.

The urgency of this initiative is underscored by the extreme weather conditions experienced last year. South Korea endured a staggering 30.1 days of heatwave conditions, nearly three times the average, and 24.5 tropical nights, more than three and a half times the norm. Meteorological forecasts predict a similar pattern this year, with temperatures between July and September expected to surpass average levels.

Lee Han-kyung, head of the Ministry's Disaster and Safety Management Headquarters, emphasized the significance of this collaboration, stating, "By improving the accessibility and convenience of cooling centers, we anticipate a substantial impact in preventing heat-related illnesses." He further added, "We are committed to not only expanding the number of cooling centers but also ensuring their effective operation and management to provide comfortable and pleasant resting places for citizens exhausted by the heat."

This partnership between the government and the private sector marks a significant step towards bolstering public safety and resilience in the face of increasingly severe summer heat, offering a wider network of easily reachable cooling stations for all residents.