"Did You Attend the Postponed Gatherings or Chukangseu?"... Concerns Over the Realization of the 'October Crisis Theory'

On the afternoon of the 1st, Chuseok day, tourists visiting Hamdeok Beach in Jocheon-eup, Jeju City are enjoying a 'Chukangseu' vacation. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Choi Eun-young] As the Chuseok holiday draws tourists to various places and small group infections occur through gatherings of acquaintances, health authorities have urged people to refrain from traveling as much as possible. Concerns are rising that the 'October crisis theory,' which feared a surge in COVID-19 cases following the holidays in May and mid-August, might become a reality after the Chuseok holiday.

At a COVID-19 briefing on the 2nd, Jung Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, pointed to gatherings of acquaintances, religious events, and rallies as risk factors during the remaining Chuseok holiday period. Although the number of confirmed cases is showing a decreasing trend, infections could increase over the weekend, including National Foundation Day (Gaecheonjeol).

Director Jung said, "There is a concern about small-scale transmission through gatherings of acquaintances," adding, "Especially when people share drinks or food, they cannot wear masks, and many cases of group infections among attendees have been reported, so please minimize gatherings of acquaintances as much as possible." This was a warning about infections occurring while masks were removed.

Although health authorities recommended refraining from travel, viewing the Chuseok holiday as a potential turning point for a COVID-19 resurgence, the number of people taking so-called 'Chukangseu'?vacations during Chuseok involving travel or gatherings instead of returning home?has increased.

According to the Jeju Tourism Association on the 2nd, 202,446 visitors arrived in Jeju over six days from the 26th of last month to the 1st.

Main tourist spots such as Yongduam Rock, Jungmun Tourist Complex, and Hallasan Mountain were crowded with people. 'Tukseukeu'?wearing masks on the chin?was also observed in many places.

The East Coast tourist sites in Gangwon Province were also bustling with travelers. Despite some restrictions on exploration due to typhoon damage earlier last month, about 12,000 and 10,000 people visited Seoraksan and Odaesan Mountains respectively by noon on the 2nd. Visitors continued to flock to Chuncheon’s Gugok Waterfall and Samaksan Mountain, which were open free of charge during the holiday period.

Meanwhile, unexplained infection cases continue in various places.

The first returning visitor patient was reported in Busan. The individual tested positive after visiting their hometown for Chuseok. Although asymptomatic during travel, they got tested after hearing about a colleague’s positive result upon arrival in Busan. Thirteen people, including KTX passengers and family members who had contact with this patient, have been identified.

Regarding the 'Green Core Bathhouse' in Buk-gu, Busan, after the first confirmed case on the 27th of last month, 10 more cases have been confirmed consecutively, totaling 11 infected individuals currently receiving treatment. Among them, eight were bathhouse visitors, and three were family members or colleagues.

Busan City announced on the 1st, "From midnight to 4 p.m., 18 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed, eight of which were infections among family members. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases in Busan to 440."

Additional confirmed cases have also been reported in existing cluster infections, including a music academy in Anyang, Gyeonggi Province (13 cases), a senior citizens’ meeting room in Pohang, Gyeongbuk Province (12 cases), and Dong-A University Bumin Campus in Busan (16 cases).

Health authorities stated, "With the start of the Chukangseu wave, including both returning visitors and travelers, we are concerned about a rapid spread of COVID-19 again and will devote all efforts to prevention."

In fact, the COVID-19 spread was prominent around holiday periods.

The so-called 'Itaewon club outbreak' began the day after the 'golden holiday' from Buddha’s Birthday on April 30 to Children’s Day on May 5. Subsequently, during the summer vacation period in mid-August, confirmed cases surged again.

This Chukangseu wave is particularly concerning as the weather enters early autumn, making it easier to create 3Cs (closed spaces, crowded places, close-contact settings), and unexplained infections continue in various locations.

Yoon Tae-ho, head of the Central Accident Response Headquarters’ quarantine division, said at a regular briefing on September 30, "If the spread is not properly controlled during the Chuseok holiday, confirmed cases may surge again after the holiday ends," and earnestly requested, "Please spend the five-day holiday at home as much as possible."

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