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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

Gov't eases COVID-19 restrictions for Chuseok holiday

An individual gets tested for the coronavirus at a testing center near Seoul Station, Friday. Yonhap Eased distancing measures feared to worsen COVID-19 situation By Lee Hyo-jin The government has decided to ease private gathering bans for the upcoming Chuseok holiday amid growing complaints from small business owners ― although the current social distancing measures will be extended for four more weeks until Oct. 3. The Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters announced Friday a set of special virus control measures to be applied during the five-day weekend. The national holiday runs from Sept.18 through 22, during which millions of people are expected to travel across the country to visit their families and relatives.According to the government, Seoul and its surrounding areas will remain under the current social distancing measures ― Level 4, while Level 3 will continue in the rest of the country.Under the measures, from Sept 17 to 23, up to eight

Sep 3, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Gov't eases COVID-19 restrictions for Chuseok holiday
  • Korea detects 3 'Mu' variant cases for first time
  • New virus cases rise above 1,800 amid tight vigilance
  • Questionable vaccines administered to 140 people at Seoul hospital
Health

Passage of CCTV bill draws mixed reactions from patient, doctor groups

An employee at a hospital in Dobong District, northern Seoul, looks at the monitor showing the inside of an operating room through a surveillance camera, Aug. 23. YonhapSurveillance cameras in operating rooms to be mandatory from 2023By Lee Hyo-jinA controversial bill on requiring the installation of surveillance cameras in hospital operating rooms has been approved by the National Assembly, drawing mixed reactions from patient and doctor groups. The revision bill to the Medical Service Act was passed at a plenary session, Tuesday, in a 135 to 24 vote, with 24 abstentions.Under the new measures, which will take effect from Aug. 30, 2023, hospitals should be equipped with closed-circuit cameras in operating rooms and must video-record surgical procedures, without audio, upon request of the patient or guardian. Audio can be recorded upon mutual consent of the medical personnel and the patient.The recorded footage must be saved for more than 30 days. Viewing the video will be allowed upon request by an investigative body, a court, or when both the medical personnel and the patient agree

Sep 3, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Passage of CCTV bill draws mixed reactions from patient, doctor groups
Health

Reports on vaccine side effects increase as inoculation program expands

People are observed for possible side effects after receiving coronavirus vaccines at a vaccination center in Seodaemun District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap By Lee Hyo-jin Recent reports on side effects to coronavirus vaccines are prompting concerns over vaccine hesitancy, as inoculations have been largely expanded to the younger population.Dozens of public petitions have been posted on the Cheong Wa Dae website by internet users claiming to be family members of people suffering from vaccine side effects calling on the government to launch thorough investigations and provide suitable compensation. On Aug. 27, an internet user wrote that her fiance, a man in his 30s living in Daegu, has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia about a month after receiving his first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. “He was a healthy person with no underlying health conditions. He didn't drink or smoke,” read the petition. According to another petition posted the same day, a man in his 30s w

Sep 1, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Reports on vaccine side effects increase as inoculation program expands
  • New infections spike to over 2,000; delta cases rising at alarming pace
  • Korea alert against lambda variant, toughens measures against Peru, Chile arrivals
  • 1.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Romania to land in Korea
Health

Gov't plan for booster shots raises eyebrows

An individual receives a coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination center in Seodaemun District of Seoul, Tuesday. YonhapBreakthrough cases top 3,000By Lee Hyo-jin While the government is seeking to begin providing booster shots in the fourth quarter, amid rising cases of breakthrough COVID-19 infections here, some medical experts have questioned the feasibility of the plan, citing the ongoing instability in the vaccine supply.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) announced Monday that it plans to start administering booster shots in October to fully vaccinated individuals whose immunity has weakened over time.A booster shot is an extra dose of a vaccine, given at a predetermined time after the initial injection(s) in order to raise or maintain an individual's immunity against the target virus.The KDCA noted that an expert panel on COVID-19 vaccines has advised people to receive the extra shot six months after their last dose, while vulnerable groups such as the elderly population may receive the booster shot earlier.The decision on booster shots came as the country is se

Aug 31, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Gov't plan for booster shots raises eyebrows
Law & Crime

Electronic anklets fail to prevent crimes by sex offenders

gettyimagesbankJustice ministry vows to make anklets stronger, improve monitoring system By Lee Hyo-jin A series of crimes committed recently by ex-convicts who were obliged to wear an electronic anklet has prompted criticisms that the tracking device is ineffective in deterring perpetrators from reoffending. The government introduced the GPS-enabled electronic device in 2008 to keep a close watch on sex offenders after their release from prison. They are ordered to wear the tracking devices for a designated period of time, enabling probation officers to check their whereabouts in real time.However, a number of ex-convicts have committed crimes either while wearing or after removing the electronic trackers.Most recently, a man surnamed Kang, 56, was arrested, Sunday, for allegedly murdering two women and removing his electronic anklet. He cut off the device at his home in southern Seoul's Songpa District at around 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 27, and fled. The police launched a manhunt, and Kang surrendered himself two days later and confessed to killing the two women. He told police that he ki

Aug 30, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Electronic anklets fail to prevent crimes by sex offenders
Health

COVID-19 deaths on the rise amid 4th wave of infections

People stand in line for coronavirus tests at a testing center near Seoul Station, Sunday. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin The health authorities here are alarmed by a recent surge in the number of deaths from COVID-19 as the country grapples with its fourth wave of infections.According to data from the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), the country reported 64 deaths of coronavirus patients this week, raising the death toll to 2,279. The average daily number for this week stood at 9.14, up from 8.4 in the previous week and more than double the 4.1 between Aug. 5 and 11.In particular, on Thursday, Korea recorded 20 deaths, the highest daily death toll since the beginning of the fourth wave of infections. Meanwhile, as of Saturday, 404 patients were classified as seriously or critically ill ― those who are receiving intensive treatment such as high-flow oxygen therapy or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This number has stayed at over 400 for nearly a week, prompting concerns over possible shortages of hospital beds or medical workers.Adding to the concerns is the upco

Aug 30, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
COVID-19 deaths on the rise amid 4th wave of infections
  • New cases under 1,500; social distancing tipped to be extended ahead of Chuseok
Health

Government struggling to cope with COVID-19 infections among migrant workers

Construction workers stand in line to receive coronavirus tests at a temporary testing center set up at a construction site in southeastern Seoul's Gangdong District, Aug. 24. YonhapVaccinations to be offered to foreign nationals regardless of legal status By Lee Hyo-jin The government is struggling to cope with a recent surge in COVID-19 cases among migrant workers, who are vulnerable to infection clusters due to their often dense living environments and poor working conditions. A total of 1,643 foreign nationals in the country were confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus from Aug. 22 to 28, accounting for 13.8 percent of the total infections during the same period, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), Sunday. By region, in Gangwon Province, 123 foreign nationals have tested positive in August, accounting for 17 percent of the total infections in the region. Of them, 29 patients were found to be employees at a steel company in Donghae City, while 26 cases were traced to private gatherings.In Gyeonggi Province, 732 foreign nationals tested positi

Aug 29, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Government struggling to cope with COVID-19 infections among migrant workers
Health

Gov't incentives for vaccine clinical trial volunteers raise eyebrows

Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol, center, visits a clinical trial center for the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments at Korea University Anam Hospital, Seongbuk District, Seoul, Thursday. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin Questions are growing over how serious the government is about homegrown COVID-19 vaccine development, as it is offering a set of incentives too unappealing to encourage people to participate in the clinical trials. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, clinical trial volunteers will get discounted admissions to national parks and museums, including the National Science Museum, National Institute of Ecology, Sejong National Arboretum and several state-run theaters. They will also receive four volunteer hours for their participation in a clinical trial.The participants will also be granted with “vaccination leave” from work, while their health condition will be constantly monitored by doctors. In the case of possible side effects, they will receive compensation from the government. However, many people are questioning whether such incentives are

Aug 21, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Gov't incentives for vaccine clinical trial volunteers raise eyebrows
Health

Tightened curfew, vaccine incentives draw controversy

People stand in line to receive coronavirus tests at a testing center in Gangnam District, Seoul, Friday. YonhapGov't extends current social distancing measures for 2 more weeksBy Lee Hyo-jin The government's decision to extend the current social distancing measures has drawn controversy, as many believe that such measures will not help curb the virus spread while only driving more self-employed up against the wall.Along with the extension, the government also tightened the curfew on eateries and cafes, and expanded incentives offered to people who have been fully vaccinated for the coronavirus.Small business owners criticized the strengthened limit on operating hours as excessive, while medical experts viewed that the “vaccine incentives” would have limited effects on boosting consumption.As the current social distancing measures expire Sunday, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Friday to extend the current rules ― Level 4 in the greater Seoul area and Level 3 in other parts of the country ― for another two weeks through Sept. 5.In addition, eateries and cafes

Aug 20, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Tightened curfew, vaccine incentives draw controversy
Health

Is a 'living with COVID-19' strategy feasible in Korea?

People stand in line to receive a coronavirus test at a temporary testing center near Seoul Station, Aug. 17. Yonhap Gov't may begin discussion on new strategy in late SeptemberBy Lee Hyo-jin The current fourth wave of infections that is sweeping the country is proving to be tougher and longer than previous ones. The strongest social distancing measures, which have been in place for several weeks, have been failing to curb the virus spread. The prolonged restrictions, including a ceiling on the number of people in private gatherings and a nighttime curfew on eateries and cafes, have significantly limited people's freedom while also causing heavy financial damage on the self-employed.Against this backdrop, discussions have emerged that the government should reshape its quarantine policy to allow more freedom for the public, in preparation of the possibility that the country might have simply to live with the coronavirus going forward.Some countries have already adopt

Aug 20, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Is a 'living with COVID-19' strategy feasible in Korea?
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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.