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.



Foreign workers with visas nearing end to get 1-year extension

Foreign workers with visas nearing end to get 1-year extension

Foreign workers in Korea whose visas will expire early next year will get a one-year extension as the government seeks to resolve their entry and departure difficulties a...

Dec 21,2021

🎧 Gov't reimposes 4-person gathering limit, restricted biz hours

🎧 Gov't reimposes 4-person gathering limit, restricted biz hours

The surge in COVID-19 infections has led to the reimposition of tighter quarantine measures for 16 days from Dec. 18 to Jan. 2. (Korea.net DB) By Xu Aiying and Yoon So...

Dec 16,2021

🎧 Fully vaccinated foreign nat'ls now eligible for vaccine pass

🎧 Fully vaccinated foreign nat'ls now eligible for vaccine pass

Foreign nationals who got fully vaccinated against COVID-19 abroad are now eligible for a "vaccine pass" in Korea without the need to present a quarantine exemption certi...

Dec 10,2021

🎧 Gov't to expand vaccine pass, re-limit scale of private gatherings

🎧 Gov't to expand vaccine pass, re-limit scale of private gatherings

A vaccine pass from Dec. 6 will be mandatory at many indoor multipurpose facilities including restaurants and cafes. (Min Yea-Ji) Korea.net · Gov't to expand vaccine ...

Dec 03,2021

10-day quarantine required for all arrivals for 2 weeks

10-day quarantine required for all arrivals for 2 weeks

The government from Dec. 3 will reimpose 10 days of quarantine to all inbound travelers including Korean nationals for two weeks to prevent the spread of the Omicron vari...

Dec 02,2021

President Moon says 2nd stage of 'living with COVID-19' delayed

President Moon says 2nd stage of 'living with COVID-19' delayed

President Moon Jae-in on Nov. 29 at Cheong Wa Dae chairs the Special Meeting to Check Epidemic Prevention and Control against COVID-19. (Cheong Wa Dae's official Facebook...

Nov 30,2021

🎧 Foreign arrivals from 8 African states banned due to new variant

🎧 Foreign arrivals from 8 African states banned due to new variant

Foreign passengers wearing personal protective equipment on Nov. 29 arrive at Incheon International Airport. (Yonhap News) Korea.net · Foreign arrivals from 8 African...

Nov 29,2021

Photos showing first 10 days of 'living with COVID-19'

Photos showing first 10 days of 'living with COVID-19'

The government on Nov. 1 started the first phase of its four-week "gradual return to daily life" after 70% of the population were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. St...

Nov 10,2021

WHO spokesperson hails Korean model for responding to COVID-19

WHO spokesperson hails Korean model for responding to COVID-19

By Kim Hayeon Video = Lee Jun-young A World Health Organization (WHO) spokesperson has hailed the Korean model of responding to COVID-19, saying "It's good to hear t...

Nov 09,2021

Gov't closes deal to buy 404K doses of COVID-19 oral medicine

Gov't closes deal to buy 404K doses of COVID-19 oral medicine

The government on Nov. 7 said it will complete this month a contract on the pre-purchase of oral medications for COVID-19 enough for 404,000 people. Shown here is an illu...

Nov 08,2021