'Corona Era' Kimchi-Making Craze... City Council Members Included in Nth Infection, Public Officials Line Up for Testing Spectacle

The process of making kimchi for kimjang. Photo is not directly related to the article. Source=Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] As the spread of COVID-19 cluster infections caused by family gatherings during the kimjang season rapidly escalates, a gathering alert has been issued to households nationwide.

According to Jecheon City in Chungbuk on the 28th, since the first confirmed COVID-19 case related to a kimjang gathering was reported on the 25th, a total of 36 related confirmed cases have been identified as of this day.

Among them, it was revealed that a Jecheon City council member was also included. The council member is reported to have been infected after contact with an acquaintance who tested positive during a recent meal.

As a result, fellow council members, the council secretariat, and city hall officials are undergoing diagnostic tests at screening clinics one after another, and the city council building is temporarily closed. Regular meeting schedules, including administrative audits, are also expected to be disrupted.

With the cluster spread of COVID-19 from kimjang gatherings becoming prominent mainly in the Chungbuk region, Jecheon City is independently implementing social distancing level 2.

On the 27th, Jecheon Mayor Lee Sang-cheon appealed in an online briefing, "From 0:00 on the 28th, social distancing across Jecheon will be raised to level 2," adding, "If we fail to control this crisis now, a bigger crisis may come."

As the aftermath of COVID-19 cluster infections from kimjang gatherings shows little sign of subsiding, voices are emerging suggesting, "Shouldn't the social distancing level be raised now and kimjang gatherings be refrained from?"

A quarantine authority official said, "Although it is a beautiful custom, if many people gather now, the virus can spread," urging, "This year, even siblings or neighbors living nearby should refrain from gathering in one place."

They added, "If you must do kimjang, purchasing conveniently pickled napa cabbage and doing it separately at each home or buying commercial products to eat is also a method."