Jongno-gu's Systematic Management of 'Foreign International Students' in Response to COVID-19

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu held a 'Foreign International Student Management Plan Meeting' on the 11th at the district office's planning situation room in response to COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus Infection).

Attendees included related departments of the district office and representatives from nine universities: ▲Sungkyunkwan University ▲Sangmyung University ▲Seoul National University (Yeongeon Campus) ▲Catholic University (Seongsin Campus) ▲Seoul Women’s University (Daehakro Campus) ▲Hongik University (Daehakro Campus) ▲Duksung Women’s University (Jongno Campus) ▲Korea National University of Arts (Daehakro Campus) ▲Baewha Women’s University. The meeting was held to share each school's response status and discuss cooperation matters with the district office.

Major university responses included canceling graduation and entrance ceremonies and temporarily suspending exchange student programs. Sungkyunkwan University announced that after arrival, those who wish will be accommodated for 14 days at the new building of the Natural Science Campus located in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. Sangmyung University reported that due to a shortage of dormitory space, efforts are currently underway to secure quarantine spaces.

Jongno-gu plans to continuously hold meetings with local universities to share situations and maintain communication channels, preparing and thoroughly implementing response measures by department.

First, a total of 6,000 copies of infection prevention behavior guideline posters in three languages (Korean, English, Chinese) were distributed to local universities and community service centers.

Next, they plan to promote reporting procedures for foreign international students showing symptoms, and conduct thorough disinfection by visiting university dormitories and areas with clustered student housing such as nearby one-room apartments.

They will also actively inform about infection prevention rules including handwashing, cough etiquette, and mask-wearing, and monitor self-quarantined individuals after entry using a 24-hour call center.

Support for quarantine supplies is also essential. Masks, hand sanitizers, and liquid soap are provided to each university, and if quarantined foreign international students occur, medical relief kits and daily necessities along with food supplies worth approximately 100,000 KRW per person for one week will be provided. Psychological treatment will be offered upon request to quarantined or confirmed patients. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s announcement on February 8, living support funds will be provided to hospitalized or quarantined individuals under the Infectious Disease Prevention Act.

The amount is 454,900 KRW per month for single-person households quarantined for 14 days or more, and applications can be made through the relevant city or district office starting from the 17th.

At the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held on the 12th, Kim Young-jong, Mayor of Jongno-gu, emphasized, “All staff are actively responding to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community. We must promote effective integrated measures for foreign international students based on close cooperation with local universities.”

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