Confirmed Cases Hover Over 1,500, Weekend 'Honpen' Activity Surges... Concerns Over Beach Opening

Some Pension and Camping Site Owners' Travel Program 'Honpen'
Thrives Near the Capital Area Despite Social Distancing Level 4 Measures
Balloon Effect Feared as Most Beaches Nationwide Open on Weekends

The momentum of the 4th wave of COVID-19 is intensifying. While around 1,000 patients are being reported in the metropolitan area, the number of confirmed cases in non-metropolitan regions has also risen to the 400s, showing signs of nationwide spread. On the 16th, the domestic terminal at Gimpo Airport in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, was bustling with travelers. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Dong-hoon] Among the younger generation, travel programs centered around COVID-19 social distancing, called ‘Honpen (going to a pension alone),’ are becoming popular.

These programs are hosted by some pension and camping site owners or travel planners. Even after the implementation of Level 4 social distancing measures, they are actively held near the metropolitan area, such as Gapyeong in Gyeonggi Province and Chuncheon in Gangwon Province. The programs, which last for 1 night and 2 days or 2 nights and 3 days, assign one room per person, but group programs are also organized where 2 to 4 people gather to enjoy drinking or campfires. Even if one applies alone, they can naturally mingle with others and feel like they are traveling without much preparation, making it popular among young people.

However, participants’ experiences reveal that social distancing sometimes breaks down as the number of people exceeds the limit and many gather during the program. Although the organizers emphasize mask-wearing and meeting restrictions to maintain distancing, the awareness of quarantine becomes lax as many young people gather outdoors. Kang In-ho (33), who experienced Honpen, said, "Even though we wore masks, once we started drinking, masks were taken off, and groups of 5 to 6 people gathered separately, showing a natural neglect of quarantine." He added, "Sharing food and spending a day together seemed to increase the risk of infection." Especially, due to COVID-19, as spaces where young people can gather have decreased, there is concern that such travel programs could become another blind spot.

As the number of new daily confirmed cases of COVID-19 continues to break records, raising concerns, on the morning of the 10th, vacationers visiting Hyeopjae Beach in Jeju City are enjoying water activities.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As most coastal beaches in local areas nationwide have opened, concerns about a balloon effect are also emerging. In Gangwon Province alone, 82 East Coast beaches have opened, attracting 190,000 vacationers over the weekend. According to the Gangwon Province East Coast Headquarters, 103,000 people visited beaches in Gangwon Province on the previous day (the 18th). Compared to about 64,000 people during the same period last year, this is a 60.3% increase. Including the 93,000 visitors from the day before, about 190,000 people flocked to the East Coast over the two-day weekend.

Most people followed quarantine rules such as wearing masks and social distancing, but some did not adhere to these measures. Oh Se-hyun (31), who visited a beach in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, said, "Beachgoers seemed to try to wear masks, possibly aware of strengthened distancing, but wet masks were thrown aside." He added, "Shared facilities such as changing rooms and showers especially showed a high risk of infection."

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