Record Covid Surge Forces South Korea to Reverse Reopening

By Kim Jaewon and Kotaro Hosokawa, Nikkei staff writers

People stand in line to receive Covid-19 tests at a testing center in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 16. Photo: The Paper

(Nikkei Asia) — South Korea is grappling with record coronavirus infections weeks after it began reopening its economy, forcing the government on Thursday to announce renewed curbs in order to stem a resurgence of the pandemic.

A total of 7,850 new cases were reported on Wednesday — the most since the pandemic started — and a slightly lower 7,622 on Thursday. Criticism against President Moon Jae-in has grown as the virus spreads, and a further increase in infections could sway the presidential race in March.