South Korea has been hit by the strongest cold wave in more than a decade, stranding tens of thousands of tourists in the southern resort island of Jeju and killing at least six people from hypothermia.

Temperature in the capital Seoul recorded a daily low of-18 C on Sunday. It was the coldest weather since 2001.

The cold wave continued on Monday with a low of-14 C in Seoul, but the temperature was expected to rise on Tuesday.

The whole South Korea was hard hit by the cold weather, heavy snow and strong winds, with wind chill pulling down temperatures to as low as-30 C in some regions.

Jeju Island was cut off by heavy snow for three days to Monday, leaving some 90,000 people stranded at Jeju International Airport.

The biggest blizzard hit the resort island, with the heaviest snow in more than 30 years falling over the weekend. It resulted in the cancellation of about 1,200 flights to and from the island.

Six people have been confirmed dead over the weekend, mainly from hypothermia.