[Exclusive Interview] Quarantined Wuhan Returnees: "Fearful and Lonely, but Grateful to South Korea"

Books and daily necessities provided to Mr. Kang Jaehyuk

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] Three meals a day, two temperature checks, one psychological counseling session. Aside from these, the daily routine is filled with boredom and loneliness. Thirteen days have passed just like that. Kang Jae-hyeok (24), a Chinese evacuee from Wuhan currently in quarantine in Asan, Chungnam, expressed his honest feelings in an exclusive interview with Asia Economy on the 13th, saying, "It's very difficult and lonely." The fortunate thing is that he will be released from quarantine in three days. Kang said, "Being able to return home means it has been proven that I have no symptoms of COVID-19 infection, so I am more than happy," and added, "I want to go to my hometown Jeju Island, stroll along the beach freely, and go for a drive."

Kang was studying Chinese at Wuhan University. The COVID-19 outbreak struck suddenly, and the city turned into chaos. As the death toll surged uncontrollably, the Chinese government locked down Wuhan City on the 23rd of last month. Local evacuees, including Kang, who had not yet escaped, were restless. The Korean government operated two special flights on the 31st of last month and the 1st of this month to bring back about 700 evacuees. Kang returned to his homeland on the second flight. Since then, he has been living at the Police Human Resources Development Institute in Asan, Chungnam. Kang's release date is the 16th. The evacuees who arrived a day earlier on the first flight will be released on the 15th.

When Kang first arrived in Korea, he breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "Now I am alive." The first few days of solitary confinement were somewhat bearable, but other worries soon crept in. The uncomfortable views from some people looking at them, the fear of possibly having contracted a terrible disease, and the thorough quarantine measures in preparation for the 'what ifs.' Although evacuees in similar situations were in the same building, they could not interact with each other. Kang explained, "When I felt very frustrated, I would stick my head out the window to get some fresh air or endlessly watch the cars running on the highway," adding, "Because there was nothing else to do."

Meal distributed to Mr. Kang Jaehyuk

Considering the local residents' opposition just before admission, the government promised 'strict control.' As a result, an environment minimizing contact was created. The daily routine was simple: three meals a day, two temperature checks, psychological counseling by medical staff around 3 p.m., and a time to read stories from the Wuhan evacuees. The rest of the time was spent looking at smartphones or reading books. Still, the frustration did not go away. What he repeated to himself each time was his hometown Jeju Island, where his family was anxiously waiting. Once released, he plans to go straight to Gimpo Airport and board a flight to Jeju Island.

Kang did not forget to express his gratitude to the local residents who welcomed the Wuhan evacuees and to the Korean government. He said, "I want to bow a hundred times to the residents of Asan and Jincheon who made the decision to accept us, and to the public officials who sent charter flights to Wuhan and took care to ensure we did not feel uncomfortable," adding, "I hope this situation will be resolved quickly so that the hard work of so many people will not be in vain."

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