Weather warnings dominated North Korean state media coverage this week as a record-breaking heatwave hit the country; however, no news outlet reported on any heat-related casualties.

State-run television ran alerts throughout the day via special programs, weather news and on-screen captions while printed media pushed near-daily calls to guard against the heat. State media also repeatedly urged people to protect themselves from heatstroke. 

Chronic power shortages leave most North Korean homes without proper cooling and it remains unclear if the country has any labor safeguards against extreme heat. 

On the diplomatic front, state