Korea puts reopening plans into reverse as cases soar, omicron spreads

South Korea moved to tighten limits on gatherings again and expanded the use of mandatory vaccine passes, as new COVID-19 cases in Korea have hovered around the 5,000 mark for several days. According to health authorities, 5,128 new cases were tallied as of midnight Saturday, pushing the cumulative total to over 473,034. Although the latest figure was down 224 from the previous day, it is the highest the country has recorded for a Saturday, when figures typically drop due to the smaller numbe

Social AffairsDec. 5, 2021

Military reports 24 more COVID-19 cases

South Korea's military reported 24 additional COVID-19 cases, including two dozen breakthrough ones, Sunday amid growing concerns over the new omicron variant, raising the total caseload among the armed forces to 2,512. Military personnel from Army, Navy, Air Force and direct units under the defense ministry tested positive for the virus, the military said. Among them, 22 contracted the virus at least two weeks after completing their vaccinations, bringing the total number of breakthrough inf

DefenseDec. 5, 2021

Monthlong party strife resolved, Yoon vows ‘united efforts’ in presidential race

Resolving an internal conflict that delayed the launch of his election committee for about a month, Yoon Suk-yeol, the presidential candidate of the main opposition party, vowed to unite efforts to win in the March presidential election on Sunday. In a Facebook post, Yoon of the People Power Party apologized for discord with party leader Lee Jun-seok after a dramatic reconciliation Friday. He also brought in Kim Chong-in, a veteran campaigner to lead his election committee. “I will sho

PoliticsDec. 5, 2021

New infections in 5,000s for 2nd day amid omicron concerns

South Korea's new coronavirus cases stayed above 5,000 for the second straight day Sunday after hitting an all-time high a day earlier amid concerns over the spread of the omicron variant. The country added 5,128 new COVID-19 infections, including 5,104 local infections, raising the total caseload to 473,034, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Daily infections soared to a record high of 5,352 cases on Saturday, one day after health authorities announced stric

Social AffairsDec. 5, 2021

S. Korea reports suspected cases of highly pathogenic bird flu at egg farm

South Korea on Saturday reported suspected cases of highly pathogenic bird flu at a local egg farm.    The suspected cases of the avian influenza were discovered at an egg farm in Cheonan, 92 kilometers south of Seoul, according to the government's avian influenza response headquarters.    Tests for the avian influenza are currently under way, and the results will be announced in up to three days, the headquarters said.    Highly pathogenic avian influenza is

Social AffairsDec. 4, 2021

[Photo News] School cooks go on strike

The National School Non-Regular Workers’ Solidarity, consisting of non-regular school workers, went on a one-day general strike Thursday, demanding higher pay and an end to discrimination against non-regular workers. Without the workers to provide the usual cooked meals on plates, schools gave students prepacked lunches.  Elementary students at Ahyeon Elementary School sat down to lunches of bread, milk, chips and other processed foods, according to Yonhap News. More than 400 non-r

Social AffairsDec. 4, 2021

Minor quake hits off Baengnyeong Island, no damage reported

A 2.3 magnitude earthquake occurred at 12:33 a.m. on Saturday in waters 16 kilometers northwest of Baengnyeong Island near the inter-Korean western border.    There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage to properties, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).    The epicenter was located at a latitude of 38.02 degrees north and a longitude of 124.52 degrees east, while its depth was an estimated 20 km. (Yonhap)

Social AffairsDec. 4, 2021

Military reports 12 more COVID-19 cases

South Korea's military reported 12 additional COVID-19 cases Saturday amid growing concerns over the new omicron variant, raising the total caseload among military personnel to 2,488.    The new cases were reported from the Army, the South Korea-US Combined Forces and units under the direct control of the Ministry of National Defense, according to the ministry.    Eleven of the 12 patients were fully vaccinated, bringing the total number of such breakthrough infections in

Social AffairsDec. 4, 2021

Seoul's daily COVID-19 cases hit new record

Seoul's new daily coronavirus cases hit an all-time high again Saturday amid growing concerns of the new omicron variant.    The capital city reported a record high 2,273 new daily cases -- 2,266 local infections and seven from overseas -- bringing the total caseload to 163,146, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).    The daily caseload, counted Friday, marks the highest amount since the country reported its first COVID-19 case in January la

Social AffairsDec. 4, 2021

New daily cases hit new high of 5,352; 3 additional omicron cases reported

South Korea's daily coronavirus cases recorded an all-time high of 5,352 on Saturday, a day after the country announced tough restrictions for four weeks to control the spread of the omicron variant.    New cases of critically ill patients and deaths also hit record highs while an additional three confirmed cases of the omicron variant were reported to bring the total cases in the country to nine.    The daily new COVID-19 cases included 5,327 local infections, raising t

Social AffairsDec. 4, 2021

After short-lived freedom, Korea rolls back social distancing

South Korea on Friday said it would reinstate some of the mitigation measures that ended a month ago in line with the plans for a phased return to normal, as a record rise in infections is straining hospitals. Korea counted 4,944 new daily cases after two consecutive days of over-5,000 -- the two highest amounts recorded in a day. The intensive care bed occupancy rate neared 80 percent nationwide by Thursday afternoon, while 902 patients were waiting to be assigned a bed for more than 24 hour

Social AffairsDec. 3, 2021

Is Korean fried chicken something to be proud of?

Korean fried chicken is expanding its global reach, captivating the paletes of many abroad. On its home turf, however, debate is roiling over its size, taste and even a lack of supposed “Koreanness” of the beloved dish. Local food critic Hwang Kyo-ik sparked debate when he complained of the size of Korean chickens, which he said is the reason for Korean fried chicken relying too much on sauce, instead of the meat itself.  Korea is the only place in the world where broiler ch

NationalDec. 3, 2021

Inbound travelers upset by 10-day mandatory quarantine

Travelers returning home Friday from short-term overseas trips were embarrassed to learn that they must self-isolate at home for 10 days under the government's emergency quarantine rule announced only two days earlier to stem the spread of the omicron COVID-19 variant. The 10-day mandatory quarantine for all inbound travelers was suddenly made public Wednesday, when South Korea confirmed its first five cases of the omicron variant. The new rule started at the beginning of Friday and will last t

Social AffairsDec. 3, 2021

Korea’s first national administrative legislation committee launched

The National Administrative Legislation Committee has been launched as an advisory body on the administrative legal system at the national level, officials said Friday. The joint public-private committee, which belongs to the Ministry of Government Legislation, will be jointly chaired by Minister Lee Kang-seop and private chairperson Hong Jung-sun, a former professor at Yonsei University. It has a total of 38 members. Members from the private sector include various administrative law expert

Social AffairsDec. 3, 2021

S. Korea, US to discuss possibility of advancing OPCON transfer assessment date

The militaries of South Korea and the United States will discuss the possibility of conducting an assessment required for the envisioned transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) earlier than the current plan of next fall, a Seoul official said Friday. The official's remarks came after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reportedly agreed to consider advancing the timing for the full operational capability (FOC) assessment during a courtesy call on President Moon Jae-in on Thursday. Just h

Foreign AffairsDec. 3, 2021

Lee, Yoon tie at 36 percent support in presidential race: survey

Lee Jae-myung, the presidential nominee of the ruling Democratic Party, is tied with his rival Yoon Seok-youl of the main opposition People Power Party at 36 percent support, a survey showed Friday. Lee gained 5 percentage points from two weeks ago, while Yoon lost 6 points, in the survey of 1,000 adults conducted Tuesday to Thursday by Gallup Korea. The other two mainstream candidates -- Sim Sang-jeung of the minor progressive Justice Party and Ahn Cheol-soo of the minor opposition People's P

PoliticsDec. 3, 2021

Moon to meet conglomerate heads later this month: reports

South Korean President Moon Jae-in is planning a meeting late this month with heads of major local conglomerates to thank them for participating in government-led job creation projects, local news reports said Friday. The presidential office is reportedly in talks with Samsung Group, Hyundai Motor Group, LG Group, SK Group, Posco and KT to invite their chief leaders. Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum may thank them for their taking part in the job creation project that focuses on creating education o

PoliticsDec. 3, 2021

First recruit for Lee Jae-myung campaign resigns over marriage controversy

The first outside recruit to join the ruling party's presidential election campaign committee resigned from her post just days after being appointed, over allegations surrounding a past marriage. Cho Dong-youn, a professor of military studies at Seokyeong University, hinted late Thursday that she would resign from her post as a co-chair of the election campaign committee for the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's presidential nominee Lee Jae-myung. She said she was marred by accusations and de

PoliticsDec. 3, 2021

China supports declaration of Korean War’s end: Cheong Wa Dae

Top Chinese Communist Party diplomat Yang Jiechi said the nation supports President Moon Jae-in’s push for the declaration of the end of the Korean War during talks with Korea’s national security adviser Suh Hoon in Tianjin, China, officials said on Friday. Suh’s visit to China was made as a follow-up to Yang’s visit to Seoul in August 2020. They discussed bilateral relations, denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and other regional issues. Cheong Wa Dae said Suh ex

Foreign AffairsDec. 3, 2021

13 Chinese rescued from sinking fishing boat in southern waters

A Coast Guard rescue operation was under way Friday to evacuate Chinese sailors from a fishing boat sinking in South Korea's southern waters, officials said. The 1,000-ton Chinese vessel started sinking at 10:59 a.m. after colliding with a rock in waters 22 kilometers southeast of Ganyeo Rock near the southern coastal city of Yeosu, 450 kilometers south of Seoul, according to officials. So far 13 people have been rescued, and nine others are also being evacuated. Coast Guards officials were d

Foreign AffairsDec. 3, 2021