Tourists and residents are flocking to Gwangmyeong Cave in Gyeonggi Province to escape a record-breaking heatwave affecting South Korea [1, 2].
The surge in visitors highlights the growing need for accessible cooling centers as the region faces unprecedented temperature spikes that threaten public health.
Located south of Seoul, Gwangmyeong Cave is a former gold mine converted into a tourist attraction [1, 2]. While surface temperatures have soared, the underground environment remains naturally cool. Lee Joon-ho, the park director, said the cave stays around 15 °C year-round, providing a natural air-conditioner [1].
This relief comes after the Korea Meteorological Administration reported a record high of 41.4 °C on July 31, 2024 [3]. Park Hyun-woo, a spokesperson for the agency, said the temperature of 41.4 °C is the highest since modern records began [3].
Visitors arriving at the cave on Aug. 5, 2024, described the immediate temperature drop as a necessity [1]. Kim Min-seo, a visitor, said it is like stepping into a freezer [1].
The cave's ability to maintain a steady temperature of approximately 15 °C [1] has turned the site into a critical refuge during the current prolonged heatwave. The contrast between the subterranean climate and the record-breaking surface heat has driven a significant increase in foot traffic to the Gyeonggi Province site [1, 2].
“"The cave stays around 15 °C year-round, providing a natural air-conditioner."”
The reliance on natural geological features for cooling reflects the extreme intensity of the current heatwave. As South Korea hits historic temperature peaks, the demand for non-traditional cooling spaces suggests that standard urban infrastructure may be insufficient to protect the population from record-breaking thermal stress.
