National Affairs

The government made all-out efforts to contain the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and prevent its further spread at the national level. This page contains all government policies and actions toward this end, the latest news and updated information on the situation.



Int'l students coming to Korea must take 3 COVID-19 tests

Int'l students coming to Korea must take 3 COVID-19 tests

Travelers on Jan. 26 wait to take tests for COVID-19 before departure at Terminal 2 of Incheon International Airport. (Yonhap News) By Elena Kubitzki and Yoon Sojung ...

Jan 29,2021

Gov't plans for COVID-19 vaccinations this year announced

Gov't plans for COVID-19 vaccinations this year announced

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong on Jan. 28 announces at her agency's headquarters the government's comprehensive plans for COVID...

Jan 29,2021

IMF raises Korea's economic growth forecast to 3.1% this year

IMF raises Korea's economic growth forecast to 3.1% this year

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Jan. 26 raised its growth forecast for the Korean economy this year to 3.1% in its World Economic Outlook update. (Yonhap News) ...

Jan 27,2021

Economy shrank 1% last year, lowest among developed countries

Economy shrank 1% last year, lowest among developed countries

The Bank of Korea on Jan. 26 said real GDP growth last year was minus 1% from 2019. (Yonhap News) By Lee Hana and Lee Jihae The Bank of Korea on Jan. 26 said real...

Jan 26,2021

President talks with Costa Rica in year's 1st phone summit

President talks with Costa Rica in year's 1st phone summit

President Moon Jae-in on Jan. 22 speaks on the phone from Cheong Wa Dae with Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado Quesada. (Cheong Wa Dae) By Xu Aiying and Lee Jiha...

Jan 26,2021

Incheon airport takes over as busiest in Asia

Incheon airport takes over as busiest in Asia

Bloomberg on Jan. 21 said Incheon International Airport of Korea had the most travelers in Asia last year. (Screen capture from Bloomberg site) By Elias Molina and Yoo...

Jan 22,2021

KOCIS, EBS jointly produce documentary series 'Post Corona'

KOCIS, EBS jointly produce documentary series 'Post Corona'

By Kim Yeojin and Kim Minji Video = EBS Documentary's YouTube channel The Korean Culture and Information Service (KOCIS) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tou...

Jan 21,2021

[COVID-19: Year 1] Stats prove Korea's effective response to crisis

[COVID-19: Year 1] Stats prove Korea's effective response to crisis

Since reporting its first case of COVID-19 last year on Jan. 20, Korea has flattened the curve thanks to voluntary public cooperation and the government's preemptive resp...

Jan 20,2021

[COVID-19: Year 1] 5 keywords defining Korean quarantine in 2020

[COVID-19: Year 1] 5 keywords defining Korean quarantine in 2020

Since reporting its first case of COVID-19 last year on Jan. 20, Korea has flattened the curve thanks to voluntary public cooperation and the government's preemptive resp...

Jan 19,2021

President says sufficient volume of vaccines procured swiftly

President says sufficient volume of vaccines procured swiftly

President Moon Jae-in on Jan. 18 holds his first in-person news conference of the new year at Cheong Wa Dae with reporters attending in person and via videoconferencing. ...

Jan 18,2021