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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.

'K-quarantine' faces a crisis amid 4th wave of infections

People working at the National Assembly wait to go through COVID-19 testing at a temporary testing center installed at the Assembly's sports field, Thursday. YonhapCalls growing for dismissing presidential disease control secretaryBy Jun Ji-hye“K-quarantine” measures, the antivirus regulations hailed by the government as the most effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic, now appear to be facing a crisis amid the recent spike in new cases that has been labelled as the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections here. The administration is now encountering criticism for causing confusion in its vaccine reservation system and sluggish vaccination rates, in addition to its lethargic response to the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus when signs of it spreading were detected in June. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 1,600 new COVID-19 cases for Wednesday including 1,555 local ones, raising the total caseload to 173,511.The daily figures have stayed above 1,000 for nine consecutive days, and the latest figure was the second-

Jul 15, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
'K-quarantine' faces a crisis amid 4th wave of infections
  • Stigmatized as virus spreaders, people in their 20s, 30s unhappy with government's vaccination drive
  • PHOTOS Small business owners organize in-vehicle protest against 'suffocating' virus measures

Is air-conditioning making people sick?

gettyimagesbankBy Yoon Ja-youngIt seems that life without air conditioners is now unimaginable in Korea, where summers are getting hotter every year. Many people, however, are suffering from a range of symptoms, such as headaches and fatigue, which appear to be side effects of the exposure to too much air-conditioning. In Korea this condition is called “naengbangpyeong” and is often translated here as “air-conditioningitis.” “People get air-conditioningitis when they use too much air-conditioning. When they are frequently exposed to a more than 5- or 6-degree Celsius temperature gap between the indoors and outdoors due to air-conditioning during the hot summer, the autonomic nerve system fails to quickly adapt to it and leads to symptoms such as headache, chills or muscle aches, which are similar to the symptoms of a cold,” said Professor Seo Min-seok of the Family Medicine Department of Incheon St. Mary's Hospital. Symptoms frequently reported by those with air-conditioningitis include losing the ability to concentrate at work, headaches and fatig

Jul 15, 2021By Yoon Ja-young
Is air-conditioning making people sick?

Stigmatized as virus spreaders, people in their 20s, 30s unhappy with government's vaccination drive

A street near Hongik University, Mapo District, one of Seoul's busiest nightlife areas, is crowded with people in this July 6 photo. YonhapBy Bahk Eun-jiPeople in their 20s and 30s are complaining of being stigmatized as the main culprits of the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the number of infections among people in this age group is significantly higher compared to during previous waves. Many young people point out that the government is trying to leave the responsibility for controlling the fourth wave to them while they have been pushed to the back of the line in the country's vaccination plans.In recent weeks, public health authorities have urged people in their 20s and 30s to abide by the social distancing guidelines, all the while suggesting that they are the most responsible for the spreading of the virus. In Seoul and the surrounding metropolitan area, the number of infections per 100,000 people grew from 1.3 in the third week of June to 3.1 in the first week of July. But the increase rate was higher among people in their 20s, from 1.6 to 5.2 during the same p

Jul 15, 2021By Bahk Eun-ji
Stigmatized as virus spreaders, people in their 20s, 30s unhappy with government's vaccination drive
  • 'K-quarantine' faces a crisis amid 4th wave of infections

Nationwide spread of virus feared as cases continue to spiral

A woman waits to get coronavirus testing at a public health center in Seoul, July 14. AP-YonhapSouth Korea's daily coronavirus cases continued to spike to just shy of a record high Thursday as the country implements stronger virus curbs in regions outside of the broader Seoul area to slow down the nationwide spread of the virus.The country added 1,600 new COVID-19 cases, including 1,555 local infections, raising the total caseload to 173,511, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).The latest figure is the second-highest daily tally after a record 1,615 cases reported a day earlier as the country battles the spread of the more contagious delta variant with toughened virus curbs amid a slow vaccine rollout.The greater Seoul area, home to half of the country's 51.3 million population, has been under the highest social distancing measures since Monday, while most other regions have increased restrictions starting Thursday.The country added two more COVID-19 deaths, raising the death toll to 2,050 and leading to a fatality rate of 1.18 percent.The country has

Jul 15, 2021
Nationwide spread of virus feared as cases continue to spiral
  • Korea's anti-piracy unit off Africa reports 6 COVID-19 cases

'Crabs, octopuses can feel pain'

Lee Won-bok, head of the Korea Vegan Union, holds signs urging more Koreans to go vegan and expand animal rights to crustaceans and cephalopods during a solo protest at Gwanghwamun, Seoul, Wednesday. The union said Korea should join other countries to regulate the inflicting of unnecessary pain on those creatures for food. Yonhap

Jul 14, 2021By Nam Hyun-woo
'Crabs, octopuses can feel pain'

COVID-19 pandemic spinning out of control in Korea

Members of the public wait to get COVID-19 vaccine shots at a vaccination center in Seoul's Mapo District, Wednesday. Yonhap Gov't to toughen social distancing rules in regions outside SeoulBy Jun Ji-hyeThe COVID-19 pandemic appears to be spinning out of control here, with daily cases hitting a new record high of 1,615, Tuesday, up 465 from the previous day and the biggest daily jump since the coronavirus outbreak reached the country in January last year. Critics said the government is to blame for the worsening COVID-19 situation as it misjudged the spread of the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus and announced a hasty decision to ease social distancing rules. They added that this delivered a misleadingly optimistic message to the people despite lingering concerns over a resurgence in infections.The recent spike in new cases has reignited old criticism that the government failed to secure sufficient vaccines on time, and thus was unable to inoculate

Jul 14, 2021By Jun Ji-hye
COVID-19 pandemic spinning out of control in Korea
  • Under new virus curbs, gyms can play 'Butter' but not 'Gangnam Style'

'Gender ministry's role essential in eradicating discrimination'

Gender Equality and Family Minister Chung Young-ai speaks during a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, April 14. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin Gender Equality and Family Chung Minister Young-ai said Wednesday that Korea needs her ministry, which is tasked with supporting women's rights and eradicating discrimination and legal violations against the socially marginalized.Chung's remarks came after several conservative politicians called for the gender ministry to be dismantled, accusing the organization of accomplishing practically nothing in the 20 years since its establishment.“We are aware of the recent public concerns surrounding the role and accomplishments of our ministry, but there seems to be some misunderstanding,” Chung said during an online press conference. “I believe we have been able to achieve meaningful results in improving women's rights which were significantly lacking in our society 20 years ago.”Tasked with solving many problems related to the socially marginalized, the gender equality ministry is essential for Korea, considering the

Jul 14, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
'Gender ministry's role essential in eradicating discrimination'

Scorching heat wave expected to grip Korea

People cross a street on Yeouido, Seoul, Wednesday, as heat rises from the road surface. YonhapBy Bahk Eun-jiThe “rainy season” here is expected to end around next Monday with temperatures forecast to rise right afterward, according to the weather agency, Wednesday. The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) forecast the limited monsoon period is likely to end after rainfall around July 18 and 19.A heat wave has already gripped the country since last week along with sporadic rainfall, with many parts of the nation having tropical nights where the temperature remains above 25 degrees Celsius. Seoul had its first tropical night Monday, 23 days earlier than last year's which occurred Aug. 4.But after rain expected nationwide over the latter part of the weekend leading into next week, seasonal rain fronts will disappear and a stronger heat wave is likely to hit the peninsula.The KMA anticipates a heat dome will form over the Korean Peninsula, with a hot and dry high-pressure system from the Tibetan Plateau located in the upper layer of the stratosphere and another hot and

Jul 14, 2021By Bahk Eun-ji
Scorching heat wave expected to grip Korea

Under new virus curbs, gyms can play 'Butter' but not 'Gangnam Style'

Gym members use the treadmill amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic at a fitness club in Seoul, July 12. Reuters-YonhapGyms in the capital area may need a new instrument in the fight against COVID-19 ― a metronome.As of Monday, the government has banned gyms in the greater Seoul area from playing music faster than 120 beats per minute (bpm) during group exercises.That's to prevent people from breathing heavily and accidentally getting saliva on each other ― an extra precaution amid a record-breaking surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.What it means in practice is that BTS' "Butter" and "Dynamite" are safe to play (the songs have bpms of 110 and 114, respectively) but Psy's "Gangnam Style" is not (132 bpm).One gym owner in Suwon, 46 kilometers south of Seoul, said the new rule has forced him to change the playlist not just for exercise classes, such as aerobics, spin and Zumba but his entire business."We have both exercise machines and group exercises, so I can't play fast music," he said, adding he is worried the restriction, along with the other curb that limits the sp

Jul 14, 2021
Under new virus curbs, gyms can play 'Butter' but not 'Gangnam Style'
  • New virus cases spike to new high
  • COVID-19 pandemic spinning out of control in Korea

New virus cases spike to new high

People wearing face masks pass by banners hoping to overcome the COVID-19 crisis on a street in Seoul, July 13. AP-YonhapSouth Korea's daily virus cases hit yet another fresh high Wednesday as the country battles the fourth wave of the pandemic amid woes over rising delta variant cases and a slow vaccination process.The country added 1,615 new COVID-19 cases, including 1,568 local infections, raising the total caseload to 171,911, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The daily figures have stayed above 1,000 for eight consecutive days.Concerns have grown here over a further uptick in new infections amid the fast spread of the more contagious delta variant and the summer season despite toughened virus curbs. The greater Seoul area, home to half of the country's 51.3 million population, has been under the toughest level of distancing since Monday.The country added two more COVID-19 deaths, raising the death toll to 2,048.Health authorities earlier warned that the daily virus cases may rise to the mid-2,000s in mid-August, before falling to as low as the

Jul 14, 2021
New virus cases spike to new high
  • PHOTOS Highest-level distancing rules come into force in capital area
  • Under new virus curbs, gyms can play 'Butter' but not 'Gangnam Style'
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