A scorching heat wave gripped the nation Saturday with temperatur in the southeast climbing to as high as 39.9 C, the state weather agency said. At 2:23 p.m. the mercury rose to 39.9 C in Hayang-eup in the southeastern city of Gyeongsan before retreating to 38.3 C at 2:55 p.m. according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). High temperatures were also recorded in surrounding areas, such as a maximum of 38.2 C in Daegu, 37.5 C in Gyeongju and 36.8 C in Yangsan, before 2 p.m. In other parts of the country, the maximum temperature before 2 p.m. was 34.4 in Daejeon, 34.3 C in Gwangju, 33 C in Busan and 32.4 C in Seoul. The KMA said the heat wave is expected to continue for some time, and when combined with high humidity, push up apparent temperatures to up to 33 C in most parts of the country and over 35 C in the capital, Chungcheong and southern areas. Heat wave alerts have been issued for 209 of the country's 235 land weather advisory zones. A heat wave advisory, which is issued when the maximum apparent temperature is expected to remain above 33 C for two or more days, was in pl