This past winter has seen a drastic increase in cold-related deaths in South Korea, with figures nearly doubling from the previous year. According to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), deaths attributed to cold exposure jumped from 8 to 14 during the harsh winter conditions of January, a month characterized by a rare cold wave that lasted for 10 consecutive days. Most victims were aged 65 and older, highlighting the vulnerability of the elderly population to extreme cold and the urgent need for protective measures to safeguard this demographic.

The KDCA's report on cold-related illnesses for the 2025-2026 winter season showed that the total number of reported cases reached 364, marking a 9% increase from 334 during the same period the previous year. The spike in cases and subsequent fatalities are believed to be tied to an Arctic cold wave, which drove average temperatures down to minus 1.6 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees lower than the average for prior years. This January marked an unusual temperature drop, which resulted in a higher incidence of cold-related illnesses, especially hypothermia, which accounted for 79.7% of reported cases.

The demographic most susceptible to cold-related health issues in South Korea is the elderly, particularly those over the age of 80, who represent over a third of all cases. This aligns with findings that indicate that 78.6% of the deaths were among individuals aged 65 and above, and a notable portion of the deceased had accompanying cognitive impairments, such as dementia. These statistics call for enhanced public health strategies and community support systems to better protect seniors during extreme weather events, as they are increasingly at risk in the face of changing climate patterns and harsh winter conditions.