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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.

Mixed responses rise over forthcoming eased social distancing rules

People stand in line to enter a restaurant in downtown Seoul, Monday. YonhapBy Lee Hyo-jin The government's latest decision to ease social distancing measures, such as gathering bans and limits on the operating hours of eateries, cafes and entertainment facilities beginning next month has drawn a mixed response from medical experts and business owners. The experts warn that a premature relaxation of gathering bans may lead to an increase in COVID-19 infections, while small business owners are welcoming the easing of the months-long regulation of their operations.According to the revised version of the administration's social distancing system unveiled by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Sunday, the limit on numbers for private gatherings will be increased to a maximum of six people from the current four starting in July in the greater Seoul area, while there will be no upper limit for participants in other regions. In addition, eateries, cafes and entertainment facilities in Seoul and the surrounding area will be able to operate until midnight, an extension from the current 10 p.m

Jun 21, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Mixed responses rise over forthcoming eased social distancing rules

Korea acknowledges first death after vaccination

In this file photo taken on March 11, vials of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and a syringe in Paris. Korea's health authorities on Monday acknowledged the country's first death after vaccination as a man died last week of a rare case of blood clotting after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. AFP-YonhapSouth Korea's health authorities on Monday acknowledged the country's first death after vaccination as a man died last week of a rare case of blood clotting after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.The man in his 30s, who died Wednesday, was confirmed to have the very rare but serious side effect, called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), following inoculation on May 27. The patient showed symptoms of a severe headache and nausea nine days after receiving the vaccine shot, and was later admitted to a hospital and diagnosed with the syndrome Tuesday.South Korea has been offering AstraZeneca's vaccine to only those aged 30 and above since mid-April amid concerns over blood clotting.It is the first time for the government to acknowledge a vaccine-linked de

Jun 21, 2021
Korea acknowledges first death after vaccination
  • New COVID-19 infections back under 400; gatherings of more people to be allowed

New COVID-19 infections back under 400; gatherings of more people to be allowed

A medical worker takes samples for COVID-19 at a makeshift testing center near Seoul Station, June 20. YonhapSouth Korea's new coronavirus cases fell below 400 in about a week on Monday due to fewer tests over the weekend, but rising COVID-19 variant cases, along with pandemic fatigue, are hampering the country's virus battle amid the accelerating vaccinations.The country reported 357 new cases, including 317 local infections, raising the total caseload to 151,506, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.Daily infections stayed in the 400s or 500s in the past five days after reporting 373 cases on June 15. The country added two COVID-19 deaths, raising the death toll to 2004. The fatality rate came to 1.32 percent.The KDCA unveiled its new social distancing scheme, which allows businesses to stay open longer and permits gatherings of more people.The move came as the country's vaccination drive is gaining traction.Currently, the greater Seoul area is under Level 2 distancing in the five-level scheme, while the rest of the country is under Level 1.5. Private gatheri

Jun 21, 2021
New COVID-19 infections back under 400; gatherings of more people to be allowed
  • Korea acknowledges first death after vaccination

Eased social distancing rules to take effect from July

Citizens wait for any possible side effects after receiving the coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination center in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, June 17. YonhapAll students to return to in-person classes from fall semester By Lee Hyo-jin Beginning next month, the government will increase the limit of private gatherings to a maximum of six people from the current four in Seoul and the surrounding area, while there will be no ceiling on the number of participants in such gatherings applied in other regions, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Sunday. In addition, eateries, cafes and entertainment facilities will be able to operate until midnight, an extension of two hours from the current 10 p.m., if the number of daily coronavirus cases remains at the current level.These eased rules were included in a revised version of the government's social distancing plan unveiled Sunday, and will be put into effect from July 1. The current five-tier system, adopted in November last year, has been facing growing criticism as it unilaterally limits the operation of certain businesses, res

Jun 20, 2021By Lee Hyo-jin
Eased social distancing rules to take effect from July
  • All students set to return to full in-person classes from fall semester

Korea to allow bigger gatherings under new distancing scheme

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum presents new social distancing rules at the Seoul Government Complex in Seoul, June 20. YonhapSouth Korea on Sunday unveiled new social distancing rules that center on allowing gatherings of more people and lifting regulations for businesses amid the country's aggressive inoculation program.Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said starting July 1, the country will allow gatherings of up to six people in the greater Seoul area. The number will be raised to eight after a two-week transition period for the country's new social distancing scheme.The country announced the ban on gatherings of five or more people in the greater Seoul area on Dec. 23 last year. The measure was applied to other regions in January. Gatherings of up to eight people will be permitted in other areas immediately starting next month. (Yonhap)

Jun 20, 2021
Korea to allow bigger gatherings under new distancing scheme

New virus cases under 500, Korea set to unveil new social distancing scheme

People wait to get tested for COVID-19 at a testing center in Seoul Station, June 20. YonhapSouth Korea's new coronavirus cases stayed below 500 for the second consecutive day Sunday due to fewer tests carried out over the weekend, with health authorities set to unveil revised social distancing guidelines later in the day.The country reported 429 new cases, including 380 local infections, raising the total caseload to 151,149, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.South Korea found 507 new cases Friday and 482 on Saturday.The country added five COVID-19 deaths, raising the death toll to 2002. The fatality rate came to 1.32 percent.South Korea is expected to unveil its new social distancing scheme, which will go into effect July 5, later in the day. It will center on allowing businesses to stay open longer and permit gatherings of more people.The move came as health authorities gained confidence from the country's accelerating vaccination drive.Currently, the greater Seoul area is under Level 2 distancing in the five-level scheme, while the rest of the country is

Jun 20, 2021
New virus cases under 500, Korea set to unveil new social distancing scheme

Hotels, airlines offer perks to encourage vaccination

gettyimagesbankA variety of industries and organizations ranging from hotels and movie theaters to local governments are giving discounts and other promotions to vaccinated people to encourage more people to be inoculated as the nationwide vaccination rollout speeds up.As of Friday, more than 14.23 million people have received their first shots of COVID-19 vaccines here, accounting for around 27.7 percent of the country's 51.3-million population, since the country started its vaccination program Feb. 26, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The country's ambitious COVID-19 vaccine rollout has been on track and achieved its end of June inoculation target earlier than scheduled, with numerous retail and business establishments joining the antivirus fight. Shilla Stay, a budget line of Hotel Shilla, is offering various discount packages for customers when they show vaccination certificates.The Millennium Hilton Seoul and Conrad Seoul hotels, both top-tier establishments in downtown Seoul, are offering between 30 and 50 percent discounts at their buffet r

Jun 19, 2021
Hotels, airlines offer perks to encourage vaccination
  • New virus cases fall below 500 ahead of revised social distancing rules

New virus cases fall below 500 ahead of revised social distancing rules

A medical worker takes samples for COVID-19 testing at a makeshift center near Seoul Station, June 13. YonhapNew COVID-19 cases dipped below 500, Friday, as the country's vaccination campaign gained pace and the government prepared to announce a revised social distancing plan.The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 482 new infections, including 456 local ones, raising the total caseload to 150,720.The past three days have seen case numbers in their 500s, although before that the country reported 452, 399 and 373 infections from Sunday to Tuesday.The country added one additional death Friday, raising the death toll to 1,997.The health authorities are set to announce a new four-tier social distancing plan Sunday, which will likely include eased restrictions on businesses. The current rules are set to expire July 4.Under the current five-tier scheme, the greater Seoul area, Daegu and Jeju Island are under the third-highest Level 2, while the rest of the nation is under the second-highest Level 1.5. A nationwide ban on private gatherings of five or more people rem

Jun 19, 2021
New virus cases fall below 500 ahead of revised social distancing rules
  • Hotels, airlines offer perks to encourage vaccination

Baby boomers change image of senior citizens in Korea

gettyimagesbankSurvey shows 78.2 percent of elderly Koreans live independentlyBy Yoon Ja-youngSenior citizens in Korea are healthier, wealthier, more active and confident than ever. If elderly people were typically depicted as passive and dependent, suffering from poverty, the new generation of senior citizens gives off a different image.A woman surnamed Roh, who runs a small hardware shop with her husband in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, lived under the same roof as her husband's mother ― prior to the mother-in-law's death a few years ago ― but she doesn't want that lifestyle for herself, her husband and her son's family. “We are still healthy and we can make ends meet with the money we earn. Why would we live together with my son's family? They wouldn't like it, and I wouldn't like it either. My friends say that's the last thing we should do,” said the 68-year-old. While it was regarded as a norm ― under Korea's unique brand of Confucianism ― for children to live with and take care of their aging parents, many elderly Koreans, or 78.2 percent, now live independe

Jun 19, 2021By Yoon Ja-young
Baby boomers change image of senior citizens in Korea

New virus cases in 500s for 3rd day amid vaccination push

Bottles of hand sanitizer are displayed for use at a park in Goyang, June 15. AP-YonhapSouth Korea's new coronavirus cases remained in the 500s for the third consecutive day Friday as health authorities are set to finalize revamped social distancing rules set to be in place from next month amid an accelerating vaccination campaign.The country reported 507 more virus cases, including 484 local infections, raising the total caseload to 150,238, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.The latest tally is slightly down from 545 cases Wednesday and 540 on Thursday. The country added two more deaths, raising the death toll to 1,996.The daily caseload has swung between the 300s and the 700s in recent months due to sporadic cluster infections.Health authorities are set to implement a revamped four-tier social distancing scheme next month that will likely ease business curfews and other restrictions. Details of the upcoming measures will be announced Sunday.Currently, the greater Seoul area, Daegu and Jeju Island are under Level 2 social distancing rules, the third highest

Jun 18, 2021
New virus cases in 500s for 3rd day amid vaccination push
  • Busan City asks foreign residents, visitors to comply with quarantine rules
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