One of South Korea’s most reviled criminal defendants: A college student with COVID who lied to contact tracers
The arresting officers came for the young man about a month after he was declared free of the coronavirus and discharged from the hospital. While he was battling a mild case of the disease, he’d gone from an unremarkable college student a few credits shy of graduation to one of South Korea’s most reviled criminal suspects. The mayor of his city, Incheon, called his behavior “absolutely inexcusable.” Media reports and newspaper editorials lambasted him. On Twitter, someone suggested the 25-year-old deserved to be tied up in a popular street in central Incheon and stoned.
Disputes over tuition refunds set reignite in universities
Disputes over tuition fee refunds are likely to reignite in universities as many have begun the fall semester with online classes due to the resurgence in COVID-19 infections mainly in Seoul and its metropolitan area.
Remote classes to continue until Sept. 20 in greater Seoul area
The Ministry of Education said on Friday that schools in Seoul and its surrounding cities will remain online-only until Sept. 20, in accordance with the government's decision to extend stricter social distancing rules in the area.
India, US record surging numbers of coronavirus cases
In South Korea, private tuition centres shut for the first time in Seoul yesterday and traffic was light on the first working day of tighter social-distancing rules aimed at halting a second wave of infections. South Korea took the unprecedented step on Friday of restricting the operation of restaurants, coffee shops and cram schools in the capital, with churches, nightclubs and schools already closed. The country reported 238 new cases yesterday.
Cramming in the time of coronavirus
College hopefuls struggle to focus amid admission uncertainty from COVID-19 resurgence
Is Melbourne's coronavirus lockdown really the longest in the world? Here's how other countries stack up
South Korea … In August, another cluster was linked to the Sarang Jeil church in Seoul, with infections spreading to at least 25 different locations. Professor Mary-Louise McLaws, a UNSW professor and advisor to the World Health Organisation, used South Korea as an example of the scenario Victorian authorities were hoping to avoid with their conservative roadmap out of lockdown. Speaking to SBS News, Professor McLaws said South Korea was now suffering a “third wave” of infections due to reopening too quickly, warning Melburnians could face a similar fate.
Schools struggle to quarantine due to lack of money, staff
Schools, particularly those in provincial areas, are struggling to implement quarantine measures ahead of the second semester as they are short of money and staff, according to data presented by Rep. Sim Sang-jung, leader of the minor progressive opposition Justice Party, Tuesday.
Schools in greater Seoul area to reopen next week
The Ministry of Education on Tuesday said all schools in Seoul and its adjacent cities will resume in-person classes next week as the spread of the new coronavirus has slowed down recently. The move, which will be enforced until Oct. 11, was made to keep with the relaxed social distancing guidelines announced Sunday amid a recent drop in new coronavirus cases and deepening economic difficulties.
In-person classes to resume at all schools next week: Education Ministry
Schools in Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province will resume in-person classes next week as South Korea has eased its social distancing measures in parts of the country, the Education Ministry announced Tuesday. Education Minister Yoo Eun-hae said in a press briefing that kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools there will allow students to return to classrooms from Sept. 21. The decision was made after Korea lowered the social distancing restrictions in the capital region from the de facto “Level 2.5” to Level 2, bringing it into line with the rest of the country, Sunday.
Prolonged virus situation creates 'blind spot' for childcare
The Ministry of Education's extended ban on in-person classes reflects a sense of public anxiety over the possibility of schools becoming hotbeds for the coronavirus…But the ban has brought its problems. There have been cases in which young children are not being properly cared for or have been physically abused at home.
Education Ministry delays decision on Seoul’s request to bring more kids back to school
The Ministry of Education isn’t replying right away, after the Seoul City education chief suggested that first grade elementary and middle school students be allowed back into classrooms full-time. Instead, the ministry is waiting until the end of the Chuseok holiday to make a decision.