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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.

Moon says vaccinations 'faster than expected' as half of population gets first shots

A healthcare worker gives a COVID-19 vaccine shot at a vaccination center in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Aug. 21. YonhapPresident Moon Jae-in said Saturday that South Korea's vaccinations are proceeding at a faster pace than expected with over half the country's population receiving at least one shot, as he vowed to speed up the inoculation drive to curb the COVID-19 pandemic.A total of 25.7 million people have received their first shots of COVID-19 vaccines as of 11 a.m. Saturday, accounting for around 50 percent of the country's population, while those who are fully vaccinated reached 11.5 million, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Moon asked people to actively get their vaccines to help slow down the spread of the virus and bring life back to normal. "Over half of the people have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines, and inoculations with the second shots are also gaining speed," Moon said in a Facebook message. "They are proceeding faster than expected."If the current pace continues, Moon expects the nation to be able to partially inocu

Aug 21, 2021
Moon says vaccinations 'faster than expected' as half of population gets first shots

New cases below 2,000 for first time in 2 days, virus curbs extended for 2 weeks

People wait to get a vaccine certificate at a vaccination center in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Aug. 20. Yonhap Daily new COVID-19 infections fell below 2,000 here for the first time in two days Friday, while the authorities are set to extend tough restrictions to battle the fast spread of the fourth wave of the coronavirus driven by the more transmissible Delta variant.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 1,880 more cases, including 1,814 local ones, raising the cumulative caseload to 234,739. The daily number was down from 2,152 for Wednesday and 2,052, Thursday.Daily cases exceeded 1,000, July 7, and have stayed above that mark for 46 days in a row amid the fast rise of the Delta variant.The country added five more deaths from COVID-19, raising the toll to 2,202.The fourth wave of the pandemic has shown no signs of letup although stringent virus restrictions have been in place amid slower-than-expected vaccinations.The greater Seoul area

Aug 21, 2021
New cases below 2,000 for first time in 2 days, virus curbs extended for 2 weeks

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

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

New cases over 2,000 for 2nd day; virus curbs extended for 2 weeks

People wait to get tested for COVID-19 at a testing center in Gangnam District, Seoul, Aug. 20. Yonhap South Korea's daily new coronavirus cases remained in the 2,000s for the second straight day Friday amid little signs of letup, triggering the extension of the toughest level of virus restrictions for two more weeks. The country added 2,052 more COVID-19 cases, including 2,001 local infections, raising the total caseload to 232,859, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The daily caseload reached 2,152 the previous day, the second-largest number recorded since the COVID-19 outbreak in January last year after posting a record high of 2,222 on Aug. 11.Daily cases exceeded 1,000 for the first time on July 7 and have stayed above 1,000 for 45 days in a row.The country added six more deaths from COVID-19, raising the death toll to 2,197. The fatality rate was 0.94 percent.Later in the day, health authorities and local governments said 1,75

Aug 20, 2021
New cases over 2,000 for 2nd day; virus curbs extended for 2 weeks

Gov't to extend restrictions on restaurant, cafe hours in areas under toughest distancing

Members of Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise demand easing of social distancing rules on businesses at Gwangju City Hall in Gwangju Metropolitan City, Aug. 19. YonhapSouth Korea decided to extend restrictions on the business hours restaurants and cafes under the toughest social distancing restrictions by one hour, Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced Friday, as the country struggles to contain the spread of COVID-19.Restaurants and cafes in regions under Level 4 social distancing rules, the highest in the country's four-tier system, will be required to close at 9 p.m., an hour earlier than the current 10 p.m., starting Monday.The government, however, decided to allow private gatherings of up to four in restaurants and cafes if the party includes two people who are fully vaccinated and have undergone a 14 day immunity-forming period. The readjustment was announced as the government decided to extend its tough social distancing restrictions for two more weeks. The greater Seoul area, encompassing the capital, Gyeonggi Province and the western port city of Incheon, will remain under

Aug 20, 2021
Gov't to extend restrictions on restaurant, cafe hours in areas under toughest distancing

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?

Healthcare workers poised to begin strike amid prolonged pandemic

Members of the Daegu―North Gyeongsang Province branch of the Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union call on the government to increase healthcare personnel in front of Daegu City Hall, Wednesday, warning of a strike starting Sept. 2. YonhapGovernment vows sincere negotiations with union By Jun Ji-hyeNurses and other healthcare workers across the nation are warning of going on strike early next month, calling for expanded public health services and infrastructure as well as improved working conditions. The warning comes as they have been struggling with burnout and fatigue due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic that has lasted for more than a year and a half since the country reported its first virus case in January last year. The government said it is coming up with appropriate countermeasures to reduce the burden on healthcare workers, mindful of concerns that their strike will pose a serious threat to the country's fight against the ongoing fourth wave of infections. The Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union, associated with the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, said

Aug 19, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
Healthcare workers poised to begin strike amid prolonged pandemic

1 in 10 new COVID-19 cases were foreign residents in past 2 weeks: KDCA

A COVID-19 testing center for foreign workers in Gangneung City, Gangwon Province / YonhapMore than one in 10 new coronavirus cases reported in South Korea over the past two weeks were foreigners living in the country, health authorities here said Thursday.A total of 1,379 foreign residents living in the country were confirmed to be infected with the COVID-19 virus between Aug. 1 and Saturday, accounting for 11.1 percent of the total number of new cases, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).The rate is much higher than the percent of foreigners living in the country, which comes to 3.8 percent, the authorities said.The portion has been on the steady rise since 7.7 percent in early May, and 8.8 percent in early July.Of the total, 959 were from the wider capital area ― Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province ― and 420 were from the other parts of the country, the KDCA said.The KDCA said most of them were in their 20s or 30s and from Asian countries, including Vietnam, China, Uzbekistan and Thailand.The number of cluster infections linked to foreign residents

Aug 19, 2021
1 in 10 new COVID-19 cases were foreign residents in past 2 weeks: KDCA

New cases at over 2,000 again; toughest curbs likely to be extended

People wait to get tested for COVID-19 at a testing center in Sogang University Station in Seoul, Aug. 19. YonhapSouth Korea's daily new coronavirus cases topped 2,100, the second-largest number recorded here during the COVID-19 outbreak, following an extended weekend, as the country will likely again extend the toughest virus restrictions in the greater Seoul area and the enhanced restrictions across the country.The country added 2,152 more COVID-19 cases, including 2,114 local infections, raising the total caseload to 230,808, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).Daily infections reached a record high of 2,222 cases on Aug. 11 as people increased their gatherings and activities in the summer season despite the toughest virus curbs.The daily cases exceeded 1,000 for the first time on July 7 and has stayed above 1,000 for 44 days in a row.The country added 13 more deaths from COVID-19, raising the death toll to 2,191. The fatality rate was 0.95 percent.South Korea has been grappling with the fourth wave of the pandemic since early July amid the fast spr

Aug 19, 2021
New cases at over 2,000 again; toughest curbs likely to be extended
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