"Our Child Can't Go" Moms' Cafe in Uproar Over Itaewon Club Academy Instructor's Positive COVID-19 Test

Total 14 Infected from Incheon Academy Instructor... High School Seniors and Parents Also Confirmed
Some Parents Say "Won't Send to Academy for Now" Due to COVID-19 Risk
4 out of 10 Elementary to High School Students "Attend Academy Despite COVID-19"

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] A private academy instructor who visited clubs in Itaewon, Seoul, and was diagnosed with COVID-19 has caused a mass infection among academy students, their parents, and fellow instructors. The instructor initially claimed to be unemployed during the health authorities' investigation, which has sparked public outrage.

Parents have expressed frustration and called the instructor selfish as additional infection cases continue to emerge due to the instructor's lies. In response to the controversy, Incheon City has decided to file charges against the instructor.

According to Incheon City, patient number 102, Mr. A (25), visited clubs and pubs in Itaewon, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd and 3rd of this month and was confirmed positive on the 9th.

However, during the initial epidemiological investigation by health authorities, Mr. A did not clearly disclose the areas he visited or his movements. He also did not reveal that he was a private academy instructor and stated that he was unemployed.

As a result, a total of 14 confirmed cases occurred. Nine middle and high school students who attended Mr. A's classes, along with their parents and fellow instructors?five adults in total?were diagnosed positive. Following criticism, Incheon City decided to file charges against Mr. A for violating the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act.

Meanwhile, members of parenting communities such as mom cafes have expressed their dismay, fearing that their own children could be infected at academies. Consequently, some parents have decided not to send their children to academies for the time being.

One mom cafe member said, "The children were just going to the academy to study, so it's very unfortunate. Due to the wrong decisions of adults (the academy instructor and the parents of children attending the academy), innocent children are suffering," adding, "I plan not to send my child to the academy for now."

Another mom cafe member expressed, "I'm worried that my child might get infected too," and said, "I'm curious how other parents are handling this. I don't know if not sending them to the academy is the right answer or if sending them for their studies is better."

As a result, some academies have sent text messages related to COVID-19 to reassure parents. One mom cafe member said, "The language academy my child attends sent a message saying, 'After checking the movements of native-speaking teachers, none of them visited the Itaewon clubs. Please don't worry,'" but added, "Still, I can't feel at ease. COVID-19 is really scary."

Other mom cafe members commented on the post, saying, "I was thinking of sending my child to the academy starting today, but I think I have to keep them home," and "I haven't sent my child to the academy. I want to observe the situation more. But when I heard the academy would close for a week due to COVID-19, they laughed and hung up on me, so I feel like I'm overreacting alone."

Students are equally frustrated. Since school openings have been delayed due to COVID-19, they are struggling with their studies and have no choice but to attend academies.

Kim, a second-year high school student attending an English academy, said, "I have friends who are taking a break from the academy because of COVID-19. It's true that I worry about getting infected when going to the academy because you never know when or where it might happen," but added, "I can't help it. Since school classes are online, it's hard to concentrate, so I purposely attend the academy."

Like Kim, despite the impact of COVID-19, nearly half of elementary, middle, and high school students are still attending academies. According to a survey conducted by Seoul City from March 28 to 30 through Embrain Public targeting 506 households with members including high school students or younger, 43.5% responded that at least one family member was attending an academy.

Specifically, 56.2% of households with high school students, 64.7% with middle school students, 42.7% with upper elementary students, 37.3% with lower elementary students, and 20.3% with preschool children reported attending academies.

Experts have suggested the possibility of returning to social distancing measures. Professor Eom Jung-sik, an infectious disease specialist at Gachon University Gil Medical Center, appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" and said, "Looking at the trend of COVID-19 outbreaks, even slight negligence cannot be allowed," emphasizing, "We need to observe the situation until this weekend regarding new confirmed cases and consider delaying school openings again or returning to social distancing measures."

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