398 New COVID-19 Cases Nationwide by 9 PM... 73 Fewer Than Previous Day (Summary)

Citizens are getting tested at a temporary screening clinic set up at Seoul Plaza on the 20th, marking the first anniversary of the initial confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in South Korea. 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 continue to emerge mainly around religious facilities on the 28th, indicating signs that the spread may persist.

According to the quarantine authorities, Seoul city, and other local governments, from midnight to 9 p.m. on the same day, a total of 398 new confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported nationwide. This is 73 fewer than the 471 cases recorded during the same time frame the previous day.

By region, the numbers are as follows: Gyeonggi 109, Seoul 108, Gwangju 47, Gyeongbuk 36, Busan 26, Incheon 19, Gyeongnam 13, Daegu and Chungbuk 9 each, Chungnam 6, Jeonnam and Jeonbuk 5 each, Ulsan and Gangwon 3 each. The metropolitan area accounts for 236 cases (59.3%), and non-metropolitan areas 162 cases (40.7%). Among the 17 cities and provinces nationwide, no confirmed cases have yet been reported in Daejeon, Sejong, and Jeju.

Since the count continues until midnight, the number of new confirmed cases announced at 0:00 on the 29th is expected to increase beyond this, surpassing 400 cases. On the previous day, 93 additional cases were confirmed after 9 p.m., closing at a final total of 497 cases.

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

Among major infection cases, the spread linked to the IM Missionary Association continues nationwide. At unauthorized alternative education facilities operated by the IM Missionary Association, such as Ace TCS International School in Buk-gu, Gwangju, and TCS International School in Gwangsan-gu, a total of 153 confirmed cases were reported as of midnight on the same day.

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

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

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