Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hae on March 17 at Government Complex-Seoul announces another delay in the start of the school year, this time to April 6, amid the COVID-19 outbreak. (Ministry of Education)

By Kim Minji 

The start of the school year for elementary, middle and high schools has been delayed again, this time to April 6.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Yoo Eun-hae on March 17 told a news briefing at Government Complex-Seoul that the start of the school year will be postponed for the third time this year to prevent further spread of COVID-19.

"The Ministry of Education respects the opinion of the Central Epidemic Control Countermeasure Headquarters and experts that schools could be major sources of infection in the community, starting with students who pass the coronavirus to their families and thus spreading it throughout society."

"We thoroughly considered an additional delay to the start of the school year, and made the final decision in today's meeting with the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters."

Saying the decision was made considering children's health and safety as the top priority, the minister added, "In closely following the outbreak's trends, the Education Ministry plans to flexibly adjust and manage the timing and manner of starting the school year according to the situation, including whether to implement another delay."