Lee Jae-gap "COVID-19 Spread, With Current Situation, In-Person Classes Can't Resume in 2nd Semester"

On the 10th, merchants and visitors near Namdaemun Market in Seoul are seen undergoing specimen testing at a nearby COVID-19 screening clinic. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] As the three-day holiday including Liberation Day and the temporary public holiday approaches, concerns about the resurgence of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) are growing. Experts predict that attending school in the second semester may become difficult.

On the 14th, Professor Lee Jae-gap of Hallym University’s Department of Infectious Diseases appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and expressed concern, saying, "There is a high possibility that the number of confirmed cases will increase further. The personnel conducting epidemiological investigations are already overwhelmed, so if epidemiological investigations become too burdensome, social distancing measures will have to be strengthened to resolve the situation."

Professor Lee explained, "Recently, the prolonged rainy season has increased indoor activities," adding, "(Therefore) although confirmed cases rarely appeared in cafes, restaurants, and fast-food outlets, it seems that this is now breaking down, which is more worrisome."

He continued, "Community infections are starting to become dangerous in the metropolitan area," and said, "If this trend of confirmed cases continues for more than two weeks, full attendance in schools in the metropolitan area will not be possible."

Regarding attending school in the second semester, he said, "At last week's Ministry of Education forum, the question was whether full in-person classes are possible. What I assumed then was that community infections must be stabilized to start full education or anything else. If community infections increase again, it will be impossible anyway," and predicted, "Looking at the current situation in the metropolitan area, if this situation continues for about two weeks, full attendance in schools in the metropolitan area will not be possible."

He added, "Israel implemented full in-person attendance, but the second wave started and they are now struggling," and said, "If we want to implement full attendance, we must provide much stronger personnel support than now, caution students’ behavior, and control private academies. Without these three, full attendance is impossible."

He continued, "The old style of teaching cannot overcome the current COVID-19 situation, so we need to further develop a more effective method that appropriately combines online and in-person classes," and added, "Especially, we need to prepare ways to support children experiencing academic decline and strengthen them."

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