Told to Avoid Going Out... University Students Taking 'Ssakgang' Classes at Travel Spots and Cafes

To prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, on the afternoon of the 17th, the second day since major universities in Seoul started online lectures, university students and citizens were spending time at a cafe near Hongik University in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] "Since it's a cyber lecture anyway, it doesn't matter where I am."

A (22), a student at a university in Seoul, recently said this while planning a trip. A said, "I received a notice that the start date for face-to-face classes has been extended by two weeks," adding, "As long as I have a laptop and Wi-Fi, I can attend classes, so I thought about 'maybe going on a domestic trip.'

He said, "Some of my classmates are traveling to Jeju Island or resting at hotels and only logging in during class," adding, "I haven't been able to go out for months because of COVID-19, and I thought it would be okay to travel to places that aren't crowded."

Some universities that had decided to postpone the start of the semester to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) began online classes on the 16th. However, as the spread of COVID-19 did not subside, universities have successively decided to extend the online lecture period. Accordingly, university students will take about a month of the first semester of the 2020 academic year online.

Meanwhile, some university students are complaining of frustration and flocking to cafes and travel destinations. Since universities are conducting classes using real-time video conferencing or video uploads, students are taking advantage of the fact that they can attend classes without location restrictions.

The Ministry of Education recommended universities last month to postpone the start of the semester by up to four weeks and urged universities to make remote classes the principle. On the 2nd, Yoo Eun-hye, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, held a briefing at the Government Seoul Office and announced the '2020 First Semester University Academic Operation Plan.'

Deputy Prime Minister Yoo said, "Until the end of COVID-19, we will make it a principle not to have in-person group classes at universities and to conduct remote classes," adding, "Most universities nationwide postponed the start date by two weeks, but additional academic operation adjustments are necessary to actively respond to the recent nationwide spread of COVID-19."

Accordingly, universities such as Yonsei University, Sogang University, Ewha Womans University, and Sookmyung Women's University announced that they would extend the online lecture period by two weeks, which was originally until the end of March. Sogang University and the University of Seoul also extended the non-face-to-face class period by two weeks on the 20th.

Sogang University stated on the day, "We decided to extend the non-face-to-face classes using online methods for two weeks to prevent the risk of infection that may occur during in-person classes as the spread of COVID-19 has not subsided." According to Sogang University, offline classes are scheduled to start on April 13.

Some universities, including Korea University, plan to start face-to-face lectures from May 6, and POSTECH will extend remote classes scheduled until the 27th to May 1.

To prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), on the second day of online lectures at major universities in Seoul, on the afternoon of the 17th, university students and citizens are spending time at a cafe near Hongik University in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Some students recognize the need for 'social distancing' but say they cannot endure the frustration and end up attending cyber lectures in nearby cafes or other external spaces. University student B (25) said, "They told us to refrain from going out for the time being, but it's already been three months," adding, "In this situation, listening to classes at home is too boring, so I started going to cafes."

B continued, "Maybe because it's a cafe near the school, it was packed with students attending online lectures," adding, "I took off my mask when drinking beverages, but I wore a mask throughout the lecture. You can't avoid going out forever."

As a result, concerns have been raised that local infections could spread. Despite adopting online lecture methods to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there are still gaps. The current 'social distancing' and 'temporary stop' campaigns are only recommendations.

C, a worker in his 30s, said, "Postponing the start of school and holding online lectures doesn't mean they are telling us to go out and have fun," adding, "University students are adults who should have some civic awareness, but it seems thoughtless."

Health authorities repeatedly urged continued practice of 'social distancing.'

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters' quarantine team (Public Health Policy Officer at the Ministry of Health and Welfare), said at a regular briefing held at the Government Sejong Office on the 20th, "There is a high possibility that the COVID-19 epidemic and spread will continue for a considerable period," adding, "Without the public's participation in 'daily quarantine,' it will be difficult to stop the spread of COVID-19."

Yoon emphasized, "Many people who are refraining from outdoor activities must be frustrated, but even if it is difficult, please cooperate a little more with 'social distancing' this weekend."

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