USA

Two US military bases in South Korea shelter in place amid extension of coronavirus curbs

Ren Leen January 16, 2021

SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – The US Forces in Korea (USFK) said on Saturday it has launched a shelter-in-place order on two of its largest bases, which includes US Army Garrison Yongsan and Camp Humphreys, until Tuesday after a cluster of coronavirus infections. Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek,

Asia

South Korea marks 641 new daily COVID cases, lowest in 32 days

Editorial Bureau January 9, 2021

SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – There were as many as 641 new coronavirus infections in South Korea on Friday, the lowest daily tally in 32 days. Authorities attribute it to the tough curbs during the New Year holiday season. The infections went down from 674 on Thursday and 870 a day earlier. Authorities said the trend […]

Asia

South Korea records 657 new daily COVID cases, lowest in almost four weeks

Ren Leen January 3, 2021

SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – South Korea reported 657 new coronavirus cases for Saturday, the lowest daily infection total in nearly four weeks, as tougher restrictions during the New Year holiday season helped fight the spread. That was much lower from 824 the day before, but brought the total cases to 63,244 with 962 deaths, the […]

Asia

South Korean govt mulls expanding ban on small gatherings

Editorial Bureau January 2, 2021

SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – South Korea will expand a ban on private gatherings larger than four people to include the whole country, and extend unprecedented social distancing rules in Seoul and neighbouring areas until Jan. 17, the health minister said on Saturday. Kwon Deok-cheol told a briefing that the measures were necessary to reduce a […]

Asia

South Korea conducts final hearing in Samsung leader Jay Y Lee’s graft trial

Editorial Bureau December 30, 2020

SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – The final hearing of a trial that will decide whether Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Vice Chairman Jay Y Lee returns to jail over allegations of bribery, which began in a Seoul court on Wednesday. Jay Y Lee,who is the heir of one of South Korea’s most powerful families was convicted of […]

Asia

First US troops in South Korea get inoculated

Editorial Bureau December 29, 2020

SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – American troops stationed in South Korea received the first doses of coronavirus vaccine to be administered in the country on Tuesday, as health officials in Seoul reported a daily record of 40 deaths amid a surge in new cases. U.S. Forces Korea (USFK), which includes around 28,500 American military personnel as […]

Asia

KDCA says mutant coronavirus variant found in 3 overseas arrivals

Editorial Bureau December 28, 2020

SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said on Monday that the nation has reported the first mutant version of the coronavirus in three people who arrived from London on December 22. The mutant virus is linked to the sudden spurt in the number of cases in the United Kingdom. The […]

Asia

South Korea prolong social distancing measures as new daily COVID-19 cases soar

Editorial Bureau December 27, 2020

SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – South Korea reported 970 new coronavirus cases for Saturday, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said on Sunday, bringing the national tally to 56,872 cases, with 808 deaths. That is the smallest in five days but still not far off from the record 1,241 infections logged on Friday. The […]

Asia

South Korea records second-highest number of daily new coronavirus infections

Editorial Bureau December 26, 2020

SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – As coronavirus outbreaks in a prison, nursing homes and churches continue to grow, South Korea recorded its second-highest daily new infections on Saturday, prompting authorities to urge citizens to stop all year-end gatherings. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said there were 1,132 new coronavirus cases on Friday, not […]

Asia

South Korea to discuss on tougher distancing, as COVID-19 cases soar

Ren Leen December 25, 2020

SEOUL (SOUTH KOREA) – South Korea plans to discuss whether it needs to further tighten distancing rules this weekend as the curbs now failed to evade a resurgence in outbreaks. The daily coronavirus count touched another high on Friday, officials said. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) reported 1,241 new coronavirus cases as […]