Blocked from traveling to Korea due to COVID-19 spread
2-week self-quarantine also a burden, leading to giving up
Korean community exchanges every holiday
This year, difficulties due to strengthened local regulations
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] "I hoped to be able to return this Chuseok, but because of COVID-19..."
Choi Hyung-ho (26), who has been studying abroad at Hong Kong Polytechnic University for four years, feels sad this Chuseok. The spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has not subsided, so he cannot bring himself to return to his homeland. Before the COVID-19 outbreak, he used to visit his parents' home in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, at the start of summer and winter vacations.
However, this year he has not been able to visit his hometown even once. Choi said, "I had hoped to see my family this Chuseok, but it seems difficult to return home even next year. I want to spend time with my parents during the next Lunar New Year holiday if the situation improves."
The sighs of those who have to spend Chuseok overseas due to the global spread of COVID-19 are also loud. Moon Jong-hwa (32), who lives in Leesville, a small city in Louisiana, USA, is in a similar situation. After moving to the US in 2010 and obtaining citizenship, he is currently serving in the US military and had planned to visit his parents' home this March.
However, when these plans were canceled due to COVID-19, he tried to enter Korea at least this Chuseok, but even that became difficult. It has already been two years since he last saw his parents, and with few Koreans living in the city, his loneliness is growing.
The biggest obstacle to returning to the homeland is that upon entering Korea, one must self-quarantine for two weeks according to quarantine guidelines. Jung Min-ah (33, female), who has been living in Tokyo, Japan for 10 years after marrying a Japanese person, said, "Since I am working, spending more than two weeks in quarantine makes the visit practically meaningless, so I gave up on returning."
Especially, people living in countries with severe COVID-19 outbreaks say they will spend a lonelier holiday not only because they cannot go home this Chuseok but also due to the risk of infection locally. Son Seong-bok (28), who lives in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, said, "During holidays, Korean students and friends usually gather to share traditional food and drinks to ease loneliness, but this year, with strict regulations like curfews in place, there will be almost no interaction among local Koreans."
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