Jang Daul

Chuseok, one of Korea’s most significant traditional holidays, is a harvest festival celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar. This year, people across the Korean Peninsula enjoyed an unusually large and bright supermoon, closer to Earth than usual. While many probably gazed at the moon, wishing for family health, job success and financial well-being, I believe I am not the only one making an unusual wish, hoping for the people in the world to act together to stop this serious climate change from getting worse.

The weather during this Chuseok was unsettling. Scorching temperatures persisted throughout the holiday. Some areas, such as Gokseong in South Jeolla Province, saw temperatures rise to 37.3 degrees Celsius, while Miryang and Gimhae in South Gyeongsang Province also experienced highs exceeding 36 degrees — exceptionally hot for September.

Another name for Chuseok is "Hangawi." It literally means the middle of fall. However, this Chuseok didn't even feel like the beginning of fall. Over the past 10 years, Chuseok temperatures have averaged between 15 and 23 degrees Celsius, with highs between 22 and 29 degrees Celsius. This is a stark deviation from the norm. The contrast underscores........

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