Annual average temperature in South Korea 1973-2023

The average temperature in South Korea in 2023 was 13.7 degrees Celsius. The average temperature in South Korea has risen steadily over the years, which is shown in the graph. 

Extreme weather

South Korea has a distinct four-season climate. In general, summer in South Korea is humid and hot, and winter is dry and cold. However, the summer climate which usually lasts from June to August is getting longer and can last from May through to September. Especially in summer, extreme weather such as tropical nights, typhoons, and heatwaves occur. Recently, there was an increase in the consecutive days in which heatwaves reached temperatures above 33 degrees.

Greenhouse gas emissions

South Korea is suffering from air pollution problems such as yellow dust and fine dust that have increased rapidly throughout recent years. In addition, as the carbon dioxide concentration has continued to rise, the average annual temperature has also risen steadily, resulting in abnormal climates, such as heatwaves in summer or extreme cold in winter. South Korea is one of the countries producing a lot of greenhouse gases. Due to the manufacturing-oriented industrial structure, greenhouse gas emissions from energy use accounts for a large portion.