New COVID-19 cases hit fresh high of 57,177 amid omicron woes

South Korea's daily COVID-19 infections rose sharply to hit another high of over 57,000 cases Tuesday, putting health authorities on alert amid the fast spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant across the nation. The country reported 57,177 new COVID-19 infections, including 57,012 local cases, raising the total caseload to 1,462,421, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The latest figure marked the sixth day in a row that daily infections have surpassed

Feb. 15, 2022

Two natural quakes hit near N. Korea's nuclear test site: KMA

Two minor natural earthquakes hit near North Korea's nuclear testing site Monday, South Korea's state weather agency said. A 2.3 magnitude tremor occurred about 36 kilometers north-northwest of Kilju, North Hamgyong Province, at 2:33 p.m., according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). At 7:47 p.m., another 2.3 magnitude quake struck about 37 kilometers north of the region, where North Korea's Punggye-ri nuclear testing site is located, the KMA said. Both are presumed to have o

Feb. 14, 2022

S. Korea rolls out 4th COVID-19 shots as omicron outbreaks grip nursing homes

South Korea is rolling out fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines to immunocompromised individuals and residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities starting this month. Novavax’s vaccine will be offered to people who remain unvaccinated and also in a mixed regimen to people who have had an adverse reaction to a dose of a different vaccine. According to a Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announcement Monday, the fourth dose of an mRNA vaccine -- either from Pfiz

Feb. 14, 2022

Regular school screenings would cause kids ‘needless anguish’

As spring semester approaches amid the omicron surge, the South Korean government is mulling rapid antigen screening of students and staff as part of its back-to-school plans. The Ministry of Education said Monday rapid antigen testing may become a staple at kindergartens and the 1st through the 12th grade when the new semester begins in March. Earlier in the day, the ministry had announced that they would carry out the testing, but ministry officials later would not confirm to The Korea He

Feb. 14, 2022

Two years into pandemic, international programs continue despite obstacles for students

For nearly two years, international programs at universities and schools had to adapt to change as mandatory quarantine and remote learning were brought in. But recent data shows there has been little change in demand despite the COVID measures. A total of 152,281 students came to South Korea to study last year, according to data from the Korean Educational Development Institute. The figure is slightly down from 2020 when it stood at 153,695 and has fallen for two years in a row since 2019 wh

Feb. 14, 2022

Military reports 308 more COVID-19 cases

South Korea's military on Monday reported 308 additional COVID-19 cases, raising the total caseload among its domestic personnel to 8,945. The new cases included 178 from the Army, 80 from the Air Force, 17 from the Navy, 13 from units under the direct control of the defense ministry and 12 from the Marine Corps. There were also five cases from the ministry, two from the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command and one from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Currently, 3,566 military personnel are under t

Feb. 14, 2022

[News Focus] No, animals were harmed in the making of this episode

State-run broadcasting company KBS announced last week it is adopting guidelines for animals in productions, responding to a prolonged dispute and ensuing public outrage over a horse’s death after filming of historical drama “The King of Tears, Lee Bang-won.” Last month, it was revealed that the production team of “Lee Bang-won” had forcibly tripped over a horse while shooting, causing the stuntman’s injury and the horse’s death a week afterwards. It wa

Feb. 14, 2022

Ex-president Park’s would-be residence in Daegu attracts visitors

An empty residential property in Daegu, North Gyeongsang Province is drawing throngs of visitors in recent days following reports that it would soon be the home of the impeached President Park Geun-hye, who is currently in hospital. Park’s close aide and lawyer Yoo Young-ha reportedly signed a contract to purchase the property in Ssanggye-ri, Dalseong County, for around 2.5 billion won ($2.08 million). It consists of a main building with two stories and one basement level as well as thr

Feb. 14, 2022

Govt. considering requiring at-home COVID-19 tests for young students

The education ministry is considering requiring kindergarten and elementary students to take rapid COVID-19 tests at home before going to school twice a week starting next month, officials said Monday. "We're conducting discussions while leaving various possibilities open, including a measure to have students go to school after tests at home," a ministry official said. Schools are bracing for the new semester next month amid the rapid spread of omicron, which has recently driven up the

Feb. 14, 2022

Factory office of Yeosu petrochemical firm raided over last week's deadly explosion

Police and labor ministry officials raided the on-site office of a petrochemical factory in the southern city of Yeosu on Monday to see if the company violated safety regulations in the wake of a deadly explosion that killed four workers and injured four others. The explosion took place at the Yeochun NCC Co. factory in Yeosu, about 320 kilometers south of Seoul, on Friday while workers were conducting a test on a heat exchanger. Four people -- one employee of the petrochemical company and three

Feb. 14, 2022

New COVID-19 cases over 50,000 for 5th day amid worries over further spike

South Korea's daily COVID-19 cases exceeded 50,000 for the fifth day in a row Monday as health authorities brace for a further spike amid the fast spread of the highly transmissible omicron variant across the nation. On Monday, the country began administering a fourth dose, or second booster shot, of COVID-19 vaccines, starting with those with weak immune systems, according to health authorities. Patients at nursing facilities will also begin receiving the fourth shots from early next month. T

Feb. 14, 2022

Chungcheong Megacity in the running to host 2027 Summer World University Games

Chungcheong Megacity 2027 World University Games Bid Committee, a joint organization launched by local governments in the Chungcheong region for the bid to host the 2027 FISU Summer World University Games, said earlier this month that the region has been officially selected as one of the candidates for the international multisport event. The committee, which includes officials from four local governments in the central region of South Korea -- Daejeon, Sejong and the North and South Chungcheong

Feb. 13, 2022

Chungcheong Megacity to exert utmost efforts to host 2027 World University Games

The committee behind the Chungcheong Megacity bid for the 2027 World University Games has pledged to exert its utmost efforts to host the event. “Chungcheong will present the best World University Games of all time,” said Kim Yoon-suk, secretary-general of Chungcheong Megacity’s bid committee, told The Korea Herald. Kim was also secretary-general of the committee behind Gwangju’s successful bid for the 28th World University Games in 2015. And now he thinks Chungcheon

Feb. 13, 2022

COVID-19 self-test kits for 30 million people to be available in pharmacies, convenience stores

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said Sunday self-test kits for 30 million people will be available at local pharmacies and convenience stores for two weeks starting this week. The ministry will also distribute self-test kits for 24 million people at COVID-19 testing clinics and virus-prone facilities starting Monday. In light of the surge in at-home treatment patients, the government earlier announced it will ban online sales of COVID-19 kits starting Sunday and temporarily restrict the pur

Feb. 13, 2022

New COVID-19 cases hit record high of over 56,000 amid omicron surge

The number of daily COVID-19 cases in South Korea reached a fresh high of 56,431 on Sunday, as the highly transmissible omicron variant continued to spread fast across the nation. The fresh cases, including 56,297 local infections, raised the country's total caseload to 1,350,630, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). The latest figure marks the fourth day in a row with daily infections above the 50,000 level. A total of 54,941 cases were reported Saturday. New

Feb. 13, 2022

[Newsmaker] Buying of virus self-test kits to be restricted to 5 per purchase for 3 weeks

Buying of COVID-19 self-test kits will be restricted to five units per purchase for three weeks, as the government works to stabilize the supply in light of the recent surge in at-home treatment patients, according to officials Saturday. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the purchase restriction of self-test kits will be enforced for three weeks starting Sunday. Customers, however, will be allowed to purchase additional kits at different stores if needed, according to officials

Feb. 12, 2022

Ultrafine dust blankets most parts of S. Korea

Ultrafine dust plagued most parts of South Korea on Saturday, prompting authorities to take emergency emissions reduction measures against bad air quality, according to officials. According to the National Institute of Environmental Research, the level of ultrafine dust in the greater Seoul area, Chungcheong and North Jeolla regions were all recorded at "very bad" on Saturday morning. South Korea measures air pollution in a four-tier system -- "good," "average," &

Feb. 12, 2022

New COVID-19 cases reach fresh high of 54,941 amid omicron surge

South Korea's new COVID-19 infections reached a fresh daily high Saturday, as the highly transmissible omicron variant continued to spread fast across the nation. The country reported 54,941 new COVID-19 infections, including 53,797 local cases, raising the total to 1,294,205, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. It marks the third day in a row that the daily tally exceeded the 50,000 level. A total of 53,926 cases were reported Friday. The health authorities have war

Feb. 12, 2022

Vice health minister tests positive for COVID-19

A senior health and welfare ministry official has tested positive for COVID-19, his office said Friday amid worries over a spike in infections of the omicron variant and its spread among high-ranking government officials. Second Vice Health and Welfare Minister Ryu Geun-hyuk took the polymerase chain reaction examination earlier in the day after having tested positive with a self-test kit, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. He has been deeply involved in anti-pandemic efforts sin

Feb. 11, 2022

Test, trace, treat must go on, says ex-Korea CDC chief

Health authorities were wrong to make omicron out to be flu-like in its impact, according to the former head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who says the country should bring back efforts to slow the spread to turn around the worst. Speaking at a conference Friday organized by a COVID-19 civic group associated with the Consumers Union of Korea, Dr. Lee Jong-koo, who led the national health protection agency during the 2009 swine flu pandemic, said the Korean governmen

Feb. 11, 2022