Reasons for Opening Taekwondo Academies Despite Indoor Sports Facility Gathering Ban...

"Partial Relaxation of After-School Care Functions in Academies for Winter Vacation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] As the government extended the current social distancing measures and the year-end and New Year special quarantine measures for two weeks until the 17th, it provided additional explanations amid fairness controversies over allowing Taekwondo academy operations.

According to this measure, indoor sports facilities such as indoor golf courses and billiard halls remain prohibited from gathering, but Taekwondo academies can operate if the number of students per session is nine or fewer.

On the 3rd, Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, said at the regular briefing on COVID-19, "I understand there are differing opinions regarding indoor sports facilities in general since Taekwondo academies are allowed to operate with up to nine people per session," adding, "However, the allowance for Taekwondo academies is a partial relaxation for academies with childcare functions because the burden of childcare became too great."

He explained that since preschool and elementary school students are on winter vacation and Taekwondo academies significantly contribute to filling the afternoon childcare gap, this measure aims to alleviate difficulties for dual-income families and others.

Son said, "Taekwondo academies are permitted to operate only when the number of children or students per session is nine or fewer," and added, "Considering the overall infection risk, other indoor sports facilities are not allowed to operate together."

He expressed sincere apologies to many self-employed and small business owners suffering from the gathering ban, saying, "I deeply regret the hardships caused by the ban and share your concerns. However, given the current quarantine measures, it is necessary to intensively reduce social activities and meetings for about two more weeks, so please understand the somewhat unavoidable aspect."

He continued, "If we can intensively practice distancing for just two more weeks to lower the risk level, we will be able to gradually review operational aspects afterward," and added, "I ask for your cooperation and support over the next two weeks."

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