[Report] Following the Movement of Confirmed Cases... The Fear of 'Wuhan Pneumonia' Striking During the Lunar New Year Holiday

On the 28th, as fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia' spreads, office workers are seen wearing masks on their way to work at the Sejongno intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Bonggi Kim, Jeongyun Lee, Seungjin Lee] On the morning of the 28th, the lobby of Hotel Newv located in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This place, where the third confirmed domestic case of the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia) stayed, was filled with a tense silence. Only two front desk staff remained, and it was difficult to find a single guest. This hotel, adjacent to Seolleung Station, has 150 rooms, with half of the guests being foreigners such as Chinese. The hotel disinfected the room where the confirmed patient stayed and is operating normally. However, they are informing reservation holders that "a Wuhan pneumonia patient stayed here" and encouraging refunds. Front desk staff Han Mo said, "We plan not to accept guests for the time being until the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notifies us that it is safe."

As it became known that the confirmed patient who passed through this hotel roamed the busiest Gangnam area in Seoul during the six-day incubation period, the anxiety among nearby merchants has reached its peak. Lee Haein (50), an employee at a restaurant near Hotel Newv, said, "Hotel Newv is a hotel frequently used by Chinese and Japanese guests, and hotel guests often visit our store, so I am worried that the virus might spread." Son Wolmae (54), a Chinese employee working at a restaurant near the hotel, also said, "I am afraid to go to work today."

There is also anxiety flowing through hotels and shops in the Myeongdong area, which Chinese tourists often visit. Most guests at a hotel in Myeongdong were wearing masks. A hotel official said, "We placed sanitizers not only in places where many guests gather, such as restaurants, but also in all areas used by staff," adding, "The room reservation rate has also sharply declined, so we are worried."

Voices expressing concern about business difficulties due to the sharp decrease in Chinese tourists were not few. Park Mo (37), who runs a street stall in Myeongdong, said, "Compared to last year's Lunar New Year, there seem to be particularly no Chinese tourists this year," and added, "Whether Chinese come or not, it's worrying either way."

As fear of infectious diseases spreads, avoidance of public transportation such as subways and multi-use facilities is also occurring. Jung Seoni (39), the mother of twins met on the Seoul subway, said, "I had no choice but to take the subway to meet a friend, but I wore a medical mask because of the possible risk of infection."

Since the origin is China, 'anti-Chinese sentiment' is also growing, causing concern. Online, it is easy to find reactions such as "We must block Chinese entry to prevent the spread of infectious diseases; North Korea does it, so why don't we?" Office worker Jimmy Jin (49) said, "During the holiday, I went to a hotel sauna and was asked, 'Are you from China?'" and added, "I understand the concern, but I felt an unconditional hostility toward China, which was uncomfortable."

Chinese people staying in Korea are equally troubled. Hong Kong traveler Wap (45, female) and her son Lian (15) said, "We have not yet felt direct unkindness," but "We fully feel that there is great concern about the Wuhan pneumonia outbreak." Cindy (33, female), who came to Korea from Xi'an, China, to spend Lunar New Year, said, "Because of worries about Wuhan pneumonia, I postponed my return to China from the 30th to February 2nd and am watching the situation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.