343 New COVID-19 Cases Nationwide by 6 PM... 61 Fewer Than Previous Day

Medical staff are collecting samples at a temporary screening clinic set up in Seoul Station Plaza on the 24th, as the domestic situation of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) shows a gradual decline. The Central Disease Control Headquarters of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency announced that as of midnight on the same day, there were 392 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 75,084. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] Although the third wave of COVID-19 in South Korea seemed to ease somewhat, new confirmed cases continued to emerge on the 28th, mainly in religious facilities, indicating signs that the spread may continue.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, a total of 343 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide from midnight to 6 p.m. on that day. This is 61 fewer than the 404 cases recorded during the same time period the previous day.

By region, there were 95 cases in Seoul, 91 in Gyeonggi, 36 in Gwangju, 34 in Gyeongbuk, 26 in Busan, 17 in Incheon, 12 in Gyeongnam, 9 in Daegu, 8 in Chungbuk, 5 in Chungnam, 3 each in Gangwon and Ulsan, and 2 each in Jeonbuk and Jeonnam. The metropolitan area accounted for 203 cases (59.2%), and non-metropolitan areas accounted for 140 cases (40.8%). Among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, no confirmed cases have yet been reported in Daejeon, Sejong, and Jeju.

Since the tally continues until midnight, the number of new confirmed cases announced at 0:00 on the 29th is expected to increase to around 400. On the previous day, 93 additional cases were confirmed after 6 p.m., bringing the final total to 497.

The recent number of new confirmed cases has been gradually increasing due to the impact of cluster infections originating from the IM Missionary Association. The daily new confirmed cases over the past week from the 22nd of this month to the present were 346 → 431 → 392 → 437 → 349 → 559 → 497, averaging 430.1 cases per day.

Among the major infection cases, the spread linked to the IM Missionary Association is continuing nationwide. As of midnight on that day, a total of 153 confirmed cases were reported at unauthorized alternative education facilities operated by the IM Missionary Association, including Ace TCS International School in Buk-gu, Gwangju, and TCS International School in Gwangsan-gu.

So far, 1,954 people have been tested at 40 unauthorized educational facilities and research institutes affiliated with the IM Missionary Association, with a total of 340 confirmed cases. Confirmed cases have been reported across the country, including in Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, Gyeonggi, and Gyeongnam.

In addition, at least 45 people have been confirmed infected centered around a Taekwondo gym in Andong, Gyeongbuk, and about 30 workers have been infected at two meat processing companies in Chungju, Chungbuk, and Gimje, with epidemiological investigations underway.

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