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.



Dine in at cafes allowed, ban on indoor gyms, karaoke boxes lifted

Dine in at cafes allowed, ban on indoor gyms, karaoke boxes lifted

The government on Jan. 18 allowed coffee shops in the Seoul metropolitan area to allow customers to dine in again. (Yonhap News) By Sarah Oqelee and Lee Hana Coff...

Jan 18,2021

NHK covers Korea's containment of COVID-19 via restaurant limits

NHK covers Korea's containment of COVID-19 via restaurant limits

The public Japanese network NHK on Jan. 14 said Korea's limit on the number of participants at private gatherings has effectively helped contain COVID-19. (Screen capture...

Jan 15,2021

Interior Ministry launches support team for COVID-19 vaccinations

Interior Ministry launches support team for COVID-19 vaccinations

Minister of the Interior and Safety Jeon Hae-cheol (third from left) on Jan. 12 inspects the preparation of COVID-19 vaccines at a testing center in Cheongju, Chungcheong...

Jan 13,2021

British daily analyzes vaccination delay in Korea

British daily analyzes vaccination delay in Korea

A temporary facility for COVID-19 testing on Dec. 17, 2020, is set up in Seoul's Jung-gu District. (Jeon Han) By Lee Jihae The British daily Guardian has analyzed...

Jan 11,2021

President pledges to overcome COVID-19 in New Year's address

President pledges to overcome COVID-19 in New Year's address

President Moon Jae-in on Jan. 11 gives his New Year's address at Cheong Wa Dae. (Yonhap News) By Oh Hyun Woo and Kim Minji President Moon Jae-in on Jan. 11 named re...

Jan 11,2021

Foreign visitors must have negative COVID-19 tests upon arrival

Foreign visitors must have negative COVID-19 tests upon arrival

All foreign nationals entering the country from Jan. 8 must submit a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result for COVID-19. The photo shows foreign nationals ...

Jan 05,2021

Moderna to supply 40M COVID-19 vaccines to Korea

Moderna to supply 40M COVID-19 vaccines to Korea

The U.S. pharmaceutical company Moderna on Dec. 29 said it will begin in next year's second quarter its supply of 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Korea. (Yonhap ...

Dec 30,2020

'Nation to reach herd immunity by September next year'

'Nation to reach herd immunity by September next year'

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) Commissioner Jeong Eun-Kyeong on Dec. 28 holds a regular briefing of the Central Disease Control Headquarters in Seoul....

Dec 29,2020

[Year-end review 2] Leading keywords during pandemic-stricken 2020

[Year-end review 2] Leading keywords during pandemic-stricken 2020

By Kim Minji and Lee Jihae Everyday life in 2020 saw a drastic change from that in other years, as the COVID-19 pandemic led to a new normal. There was life before the...

Dec 28,2020

Korea, Japan, China discuss sports cooperation amid pandemic

Korea, Japan, China discuss sports cooperation amid pandemic

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Yang-woo (right) on Dec. 24 takes part online in the third Korea- Japan-China meeting of sports ministers with his Japanese a...

Dec 28,2020