South Korea pro baseball league cancels games over heatwave

The country has been sweltering in a streak of searing weather -- new all-time highs were set three times over the past week alone, peaking at 42.5C on Sunday.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO)'s announcement came a day after President Lee Jae Myung asked authorities to treat the heatwave "as a national disaster" and "make every effort to swiftly implement necessary measures" to protect lives.

The east and west regions of Seoul remained under the highest-level heat alert Wednesday, issued when the heat index is forecast to reach 38C or temperatures are expected to climb to 39C or higher.

"We have decided to call off all games on August 5-6 until comprehensive safety measures are established," the KBO said in a statement, citing risks to players and fans as extreme temperatures persist.

According to local reports, 10 games scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday across the country were cancelled.

A total of 2,221 people suffered heat-related illnesses, including an estimated 19 deaths, between May 15 and August 3, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

The league said it would convene an emergency executive committee meeting with club officials and representatives of the players' association to discuss additional safety measures.

The KBO cancelled two games on Tuesday in Seoul's Jamsil Stadium and the southwestern city of Gwangju after multiple spectators collapsed due to the heat.

During Tuesday's game between the SSG Landers and LG Twins in Incheon, a male spectator collapsed from a suspected heat-related illness, prompting a nine-minute suspension before he was taken to hospital by ambulance, an SSG official told AFP.

SSG Landers said 25 spectators were treated for heat-related illnesses during the game.