A severe summer heat wave sweeping across South Korea has resulted in 16 deaths so far this year, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Interior and Safety on Tuesday.

The ministry reported that between May 15 and August 2, a total of 2,025 individuals suffered from heat-related illnesses due to the scorching weather conditions, with 16 of those cases proving fatal as the nation continues to swelter under high temperatures.

South Korea's heat record has been broken three times over the past week, with the latest all-time high set at 42.5C in the city of Yangsan on Sunday.

The whole of Seoul was under the highest-level "severe heatwave warning" alert Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to soar again close to 40C.

"Extreme, life-threatening heat is forecast," the weather agency said in a statement Tuesday.

With Inputs from Agencies