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.



PCR test required for all passengers arriving from China

PCR test required for all passengers arriving from China

All passengers arriving from China from Jan. 2 must take a PCR test for COVID-19. (Yonhap News) By Xu Aiying A new quarantine measure that took effect on Jan. 2 requi...

Jan 02,2023

Domestic cinema shows recovery from COVID-19 with KRW 1T in sales

Domestic cinema shows recovery from COVID-19 with KRW 1T in sales

Shown is a movie theater in Seoul promoting "The Roundup" (second and third posters from upper right), the first Korean movie to sell 10 million tickets in three years si...

Dec 19,2022

Ski tourism resumes with arrival of tour groups from Taiwan, HK

Ski tourism resumes with arrival of tour groups from Taiwan, HK

Visitors from Southeast Asia on Dec. 11 learn how to ski at Yongpyong Resort in Pyeongchang-gun County, Gangwon-do Province. (Yonhap News) By Margareth Theresia Ski t...

Dec 14,2022

Visa-free entry for people from 91 countries to resume next month

Visa-free entry for people from 91 countries to resume next month

Crowds of travelers are seen on Oct. 7 at the departure gate of Terminal 1 at Incheon International Airport. (Yonhap News) By Lee Kyoung Mi Nationals of eight countri...

Oct 20,2022

🎧 PCR test for inbound travelers on 1st day of arrival to be lifted

🎧 PCR test for inbound travelers on 1st day of arrival to be lifted

The mandatory PCR test for inbound passengers on their first day of arrival in Korea will be lifted from Oct. 1. (Yonhap News)    PCR test for inbound travelers on 1...

Sep 30,2022

🎧 Gov't next week to scrap mask rule at large outdoor events

🎧 Gov't next week to scrap mask rule at large outdoor events

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Sept. 23 chairs a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at Government Complex-Seoul. (Office for Governme...

Sep 23,2022

Reservations begin for 1st homegrown vaccine vs. COVID-19

Reservations begin for 1st homegrown vaccine vs. COVID-19

Reservations to get injected with SKYCovione, Korea's first domestically developed vaccine against COVID-19 produced by the pharmaceutical company SK Bioscience, began on...

Sep 01,2022

Predeparture PCR test for arriving passengers to be lifted on Sept. 3

Predeparture PCR test for arriving passengers to be lifted on Sept. 3

From Sept. 3, all incoming travelers to Korea will not have to submit a negative result from a predeparture COVID-19 test taken abroad after arrival. Shown are inbound pa...

Aug 31,2022

🎧 Incoming passengers must get PCR test on day of arrival

🎧 Incoming passengers must get PCR test on day of arrival

The COVID-19 test center at Terminal 1 of Incheon International Airport on July 24 is crowded with arriving foreign passengers. (Yonhap News) By Yoo Yeon Gyeong Kor...

Jul 25,2022

🎧 President gets 4th COVID-19 vaccine shot, asks others to follow

🎧 President gets 4th COVID-19 vaccine shot, asks others to follow

President Yoon Suk Yeol on July 13 gets his fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot (Pfizer) at a public health center in Seoul's Jung-gu District. (Office of the 20th President) ...

Jul 14,2022