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COVID-19 in Korea: Success Based on Past Failure

Author

Listed:
  • Byeongho Lim

    (FTA Implementation Support Center Korea Maritime Institute 49111, Korea)

  • Emma Kyoungseo Hong

    (Program in International Relations, Graduate School of Arts and Science New York University New York, NY 10016)

  • Jinjin Mou

    (Program in FTA Policy and Business Consulting Graduate School Inha University 22212, Korea)

  • Inkyo Cheong

    (Department of International Trade Inha University 22212, Korea)

Abstract

This paper analyzes how the Republic of Korea (Korea) halted the massive transmission of COVID-19 in just two months. The quarantine was achieved successfully without any need for a national lockdown because, simply, Korean citizens actively followed quarantine guidelines. During the 2015 Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) outbreak, the country recognized the importance of an early response in the form of a systematic approach and adopted the necessary procedures. Comparing the spread of COVID-19 among different countries, Korea demonstrated several distinct characteristics. First, the duration of the coronavirus crisis was relatively short, and Korea was able to flatten the coronavirus curve in a brief period. Second, Korea blocked expanded transmission of the virus without implementing a national lockdown. Third, the coronavirus pandemic did not lead to economic panic. Korea, which had developed an institutional response to infectious diseases prior to COVID-19, used a strategy of balancing quarantine measures with economic policies. The paper summarizes the specific measures Korea implemented to overcome COVID-19, and discusses the sustainability of the economy after overcoming the virus.

Suggested Citation

  • Byeongho Lim & Emma Kyoungseo Hong & Jinjin Mou & Inkyo Cheong, 2021. "COVID-19 in Korea: Success Based on Past Failure," Asian Economic Papers, MIT Press, vol. 20(2), pages 41-62, Summer.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:asiaec:v:20:y:2021:i:2:p:41-62
    DOI: 10.1162/asep_a_00803
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    Cited by:

    1. NaHyun Lee & Bong-Seok Kim, 2023. "Differences of Host Country-Destination Image Assessment for International Students According to Risk Perception in COVID-19 Tourism," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, July.
    2. Dmitriy Aleksandrovich Izotov, 2021. "Economic Policy Responses to COVID-19 of the Northeast Asia Countries," Spatial Economics=Prostranstvennaya Ekonomika, Economic Research Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (Khabarovsk, Russia), issue 3, pages 156-178.
    3. Miji Kwon & Eun-Mi Jang & Wonyoung Yang, 2022. "Mask-Wearing Perception of Preschool Children in Korea during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-13, September.
    4. Myunggu Jung & D. Susie Lee, 2023. "Subnational variations in births and marriages during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 48(30), pages 867-882.
    5. Nahyun Lee & Bong-Seok Kim, 2022. "Can International Students’ Risk Perception and Place Image Create an Advantage in Safeguarding Place Loyalty in Post-COVID-19 Tourism?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, August.
    6. Yeon-Jun Choi & Julak Lee & Seung Yeop Paek, 2022. "Public Awareness and Sentiment toward COVID-19 Vaccination in South Korea: Findings from Big Data Analytics," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-14, August.

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