Kim Yeon-kyung Returns from Turkey "2 Weeks Self-Quarantine"

Kim Yeon-kyung, who was staying in Turkey, is arriving through Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 15th.
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Kim Yeon-koung (32, Eczacıba?ı), who is playing in the Turkish professional volleyball league, returned to Korea on the 15th.

After completing rehabilitation in Korea and staying in Turkey with her team (Eczacıba?ı) last month, Kim Yeon-koung arrived at Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 15th via a special charter flight operated by Asiana Airlines.

On the 14th, Kim Yeon-koung's agency, Ryan At, announced, "Due to the suspension of the Turkish league and the rapid increase in confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in Turkey, Kim Yeon-koung is scheduled to return to Korea through a charter flight arriving at Incheon Airport in the early morning of the 15th."

They added, "Following government guidelines, Kim Yeon-koung will immediately move to her home and undergo a two-week self-quarantine, and she is scheduled to receive a COVID-19 test at a local health center within five days." To maintain social distancing, the return interview was omitted.

Eczacıba?ı finished the regular season in second place and was scheduled to play the quarterfinal playoffs starting March 21, but the games were postponed due to COVID-19.

As of the morning of the 14th, Turkey reported a total of 61,049 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1,296 deaths.

Consequently, the Turkish government suspended all international flights to prevent the spread of COVID-19, making it difficult for Koreans in Turkey to return home.

Meanwhile, Hyundai Assan Automotive, Hyundai Motor's subsidiary in Turkey, donated 300,000 euros (approximately 400 million KRW) to the Turkish government, which used the funds to purchase medicines and medical equipment for 80,000 people from Korea. The purchased medicines and medical equipment were brought in on the 13th (local time) via a special Asiana Airlines flight that landed at Istanbul Airport.

As a result, a plan was arranged for 147 Korean nationals, including player Kim Yeon-koung in Turkey, to return to Korea using this special flight.

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