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Lee Hyo-jin

Korea Times Finance Reporter

Lee Hyo-jin covers the Bank of Korea, the banking industry and broader financial news. Her previous beats include foreign affairs, North Korea and general reporting on Korean society.

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Health

Korea may adopt pandemic exit plan after mid-March

Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol speaks during a virtual press conference, Thursday. Courtesy of the Ministry of Health and WelfareStill long way to go as daily infections stay above 170,000 for 2nd day By Lee Hyo-jin The Korean government may adopt a pandemic exit plan after the Omicron wave peaks, which it believes will come in mid-March, revising quarantine measures toward a phased return to normalcy, according to Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol, Thursday.“Experts predict that the current wave will reach its peak in mid-March, after which, as seen in other countries, the number of infections will begin to fall,” Kwon said during a virtual press conference. “And if the virus situation at that time is deemed manageable within our medical capacity, we will review revising our social distancing measures,” he added.Kwon said that, though there is still a long way to go, the government is in the initial stage of drawing up a detailed roadmap for an exit from the pandemic, based on which, the country would move into a new phase where the coronavirus is managed like

Feb 24, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
Korea may adopt pandemic exit plan after mid-March
  • Omicron wave expected to peak in mid-March with daily cases around 250,000: PM
Health

Gov't eyes 'return to normalcy' despite snowballing infections

People wait in lines to receive COVID-19 tests at a screening center near Seoul Station, Wednesday. YonhapDaily new infections nearly double to 171,452By Lee Hyo-jin The government's drive toward a “return to normalcy” scheme, under which the coronavirus would be treated like an endemic disease, has drawn criticisms from medical experts who view it as “absurd and reckless” amid the skyrocketing number of infections. Despite the soaring COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Tuesday that the country may be entering the final stages of the pandemic.“If we are able manage to maintain the current low fatality rate, we could transition to treating Omicron like other endemic diseases in the end,” said Park Hyang, a senior health official during a briefing.According to the ministry, Omicron's fatality rate, which stood at 0.38, is roughly a quarter that of the Delta variant and double that of the seasonal flu. President Moon Jae-in also mentioned a possible shift to a “return to normalcy” scheme. “It is not long before t

Feb 23, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
Gov't eyes 'return to normalcy' despite snowballing infections
  • New COVID-19 cases over 170,000 for 2nd day amid continued Omicron surge
Health

Why eagerly awaited COVID-19 antiviral pills are sitting on shelves

A pharmacist in Seoul shows boxes of Paxlovid, Pfizer's oral COVID-19 pills, Monday. YonhapDaily infections to peak at 270,000 in MarchBy Lee Hyo-jin Thousands of COVID-19 antiviral pills are sitting on the shelves of pharmacies amid an unexpected shortage of demand for the tablets, which were hailed initially as a game changer in the battle against the pandemic. The easy-to-use pills were much anticipated as the best treatment option for patients undergoing home treatment, preventing high-risk groups from falling into critical condition. As of Feb. 17, 8,905 patients have been prescribed Paxlovid, Pfizer's oral COVID-19 pill, although enough doses for 22,935 people have been shipped to the country since Jan. 14. This is far below the government's expectation that the pills would be used by over 1,000 people daily. Doctors say the government has been failing to use the pills effectively, due to their excessive age limit and complicated prescription process. “The low prescription rate seems to be attributable to the excessively high age limit, along with low awareness among doct

Feb 22, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
Why eagerly awaited COVID-19 antiviral pills are sitting on shelves
Health

Latest deaths expose blind spots in COVID-19 self-treatment scheme

People waiting to receive a COVID-19 test stand in a long line snaking around the block outside of a screening center near Seoul Station, Monday. YonhapTotal infections surpass 2 millionBy Lee Hyo-jin The latest deaths of COVID-19 patients have exposed blind spots in the government's self-treatment scheme, prompting concerns that people undergoing home treatment may be unable to receive urgent medical attention.On Feb. 19, a 59-year-old man living alone in Gwanak District, Seoul, was found dead at his home, one day after he tested positive for the virus. His family called 119 after being unable to reach him by phone. Paramedics arrived there only to find the patient already dead.According to the Gwanak District office, at the time of his death, the man had not yet been determined a patient eligible for home treatment. Under the current quarantine measures, public health officials should contact the patient within a day of when he or she tests positive, and collect basic information to determine whether the patient should be hospitalized or is eligible for home treatment.But officials

Feb 21, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
Latest deaths expose blind spots in COVID-19 self-treatment scheme
  • New COVID-19 infections dip below 100,000
  • New COVID-19 cases near 100,000 again due to continued Omicron surge
Environment & Animals

Rescued dogs sent overseas find new lives, 'forever families'

Kumi, a Pomeranian mix rescued from a dog meat farm in Haemi, South Chungcheong Province, was adopted by Diana Rodriguez, living in Virginia, the United States, in February 2021. Courtesy of Diana RodriguezDogs freed from meat farms in Korea enjoy new life in US, UK By Lee Hyo-jin Adopting Kumi, a two-and-a-half-year-old Pomeranian mix rescued from a Korean dog meat farm, was a life-changing event for Diana Rodriguez, living in Virginia, the United States. Rescued in October 2020 from a dog farm in Haemi, South Chungcheong Province, Kumi was extremely traumatized when she arrived in the U.S. later that month. “Not only was she separated from her mother who was caged with her on the farm, but she was pregnant at the time, and gave birth (to her pup) in her first foster home,” Rodriguez told The Korea Times during a recent email interview.But after all she had gone through, Kumi's resilient spirit never ceases to inspire Rodriguez since she became part of her family in February 2021. “When I first saw her, I was immediately struck by how strong she must be to still be

Feb 20, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
Rescued dogs sent overseas find new lives, 'forever families'
Health

Accuracy of rapid antigen tests called into question

People perform rapid antigen tests at a COVID-19 screening center in the southwestern city of Gwangju, Thursday. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jinThe accuracy of COVID-19 rapid antigen test kits has been thrown into doubt as an increasing number of people are seeing false negatives after using the self-testing kits.The low accuracy of rapid tests is raising concerns, as asymptomatic patients who have tested negative with the tests may be spreading the virus unwittingly, fueling the record-breaking spread of infections.Under the new testing scheme implemented on Feb. 3, the highly accurate polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are now only available to high-risk groups aged 60 and above, people who have come into close contact with a COVID-19 case or people with a doctor's note citing the need for the lab-based test. Others can take the PCR test only after they have tested positive on the rapid antigen test. According to the Korean Society of Diagnostic Laboratory Medicine, the sensitivity of rapid tests was found to be less than 50 percent when performed by medical personnel, and less than 20 per

Feb 19, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
Accuracy of rapid antigen tests called into question
  • Korea reports more than 100,000 COVID-19 cases for 2nd day
  • New COVID-19 infections over 100,000 for 3rd day
Health

'Adding fuel to fire': Experts denounce easing of social distancing measures

A monitor at the disaster control center in southeastern Seoul's Songpa District Office shows an all-time high of 109,831 new COVID-19 infection cases announced Thursday. Yonhap Daily new infections cases hit fresh high of 109,831By Lee Hyo-jin Medical experts have slammed the government for continuing to downplay the threat of the Omicron variant, including its latest decision to ease social distancing measures amid snowballing numbers of daily new infections, which reached another record high of 109,831 for Thursday, exceeding the 100,000 mark for the first time, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).The daily tally has more than doubled in a just week from 53,920 reported last Thursday. Despite the record-breaking infections, however, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Friday that it will partially ease social distancing measures from Saturday, allowing multiuse facilities such as eateries and cafes to receive sit-in custom

Feb 18, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
'Adding fuel to fire': Experts denounce easing of social distancing measures
  • Gov't to push back curfew on cafes, restaurants to 10 pm, keep gathering size limit at 6
Health

NHIS' long-term care insurance to ease financial burden of aging society

An elderly woman participates in an arts and craft session at a nursing home. Courtesy of National Health Insurance Service By Lee Hyo-jinEveryone gets old. And as people age, they are more likely to suffer from various medical conditions and diseases, leaving them in need of care and assistance in their daily lives. But the question is, who will provide care and who will foot the bill? Caregiving for seniors has traditionally been perceived as a duty of their family members. Sons and daughters were responsible for the care ― both physically and economically ― of their elderly parents.But this outdated system has faced challenges in modern society. Unlike the past when extended families lived under one roof, family ties are loosening, with more and more elderly people living alone.As a result, the enhancement of public care services for the elderly population has become a priority for Korea, a country which is predicted to become a “super-aged society” by 2026, wher

Feb 17, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
NHIS' long-term care insurance to ease financial burden of aging society
Health

Number of critically ill COVID-19 patients feared to rise

People stand in line waiting to receive a COVID-19 test at a screening center in Jung District, Seoul, Tuesday. NewsisDaily infections hit fresh high of 57,117By Lee Hyo-jin The number of severely ill COVID-19 patients and deaths is feared to rise beginning this week, following the soaring number of infections spurred by the Omicron variant sweeping across the nation. The coronavirus is showing no signs of abating here, with 57,117 new cases of infection added for Monday, yet another all-time high, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).Despite record-high numbers of infections fueled by Omicron, the country has been seeing relatively less critical cases and deaths so far, as the variant appeared to be less lethal than its predecessors. But a recent surge in infections among people aged 60 and over, who are at a higher risk of falling seriously ill, has prompted concerns that the rapidly increasing number of cases could lead to a spike in critical cases. According to the KDCA, in the fourth week of January, the number of patients aged 60 and above stood a

Feb 15, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
Number of critically ill COVID-19 patients feared to rise
  • Americans advised not to travel to Korea amid COVID-19 surge
  • Parents divided over mandatory at-home tests for young students
  • Korea's daily COVID-19 cases spike to over 90,000 for first time
Global Community

Children of multicultural backgrounds still face discrimination in schools

Women who migrated to Korea to marry Korean husbands and students from multicultural backgrounds attend a conference organized by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, at Ansan Multicultural Family Support Center in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, Feb.7. Courtesy of Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Gov't vows to boost efforts to create inclusive educational environmentBy Lee Hyo-jin ANSAN, Gyeonggi Province ― Gu Young-chan, 16, still remembers the first day when he moved to new school a few years ago. He was introduced as a “multicultural child” by his homeroom teacher in front of the whole class. “I immediately saw the uncomfortable looks on my classmates' faces, which made me feel nervous and awkward,” said Gu, whose mother is Chinese and father Korean. Being labeled as a multicultural student on the first day of school was not only unpleasant, but it also made it harder for him to make new friends. “It felt like my classmates were keeping a distance from me,” he said. Seventeen-year-old Yu Jin, also born to a Chinese national mother and Ko

Feb 14, 2022By Lee Hyo-jin
Children of multicultural backgrounds still face discrimination in schools
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CEO & Publisher: Oh Young-jinDigital News Email: webmaster@koreatimes.co.krTel: 02-724-2114Online newspaper registration No: 서울,아52844Date of registration: 2020.02.05Masthead: The Korea TimesCopyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.