Statistics Korea's 'Economic Census' Shifts to Non-Face-to-Face Focus... "Requesting Participation from Small Business Owners and Self-Employed"

Impact of Raising Social Distancing to Level 4 in the Seoul Metropolitan Area
Internet Survey Period Extended from 9 to 25 Days

On the 4th, when social distancing measures in the Seoul metropolitan area were being extended due to a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, the Myeongdong area in Jung-gu, Seoul was quiet despite it being a holiday. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The 'Economic Census,' Statistics Korea's largest economic survey conducted every five years on all businesses in the country, will also be conducted mainly through non-face-to-face surveys due to the impact of COVID-19. This measure was taken inevitably as the quarantine guidelines in the Seoul metropolitan area were strengthened.

Statistics Korea announced on the 12th that the '2020 Economic Census,' conducted nationwide on businesses until the 30th, will be conducted mainly through non-face-to-face surveys only in the Seoul metropolitan area. The agency explained that this measure was taken to ensure the safety of businesses as social distancing in the metropolitan area was raised to level 4 starting that day.

Except for cases requiring a full survey of items such as mining and manufacturing businesses and large-scale businesses, the survey will be conducted mainly through non-face-to-face methods such as internet surveys, fax, email, and distribution and collection of questionnaires (in compliance with quarantine rules). The internet survey period will also be extended from the 9th to the 25th, the end date of social distancing level 4. Businesses wishing to participate in the internet survey can receive a participation number from surveyors, city/county/district statistics situation rooms, or the 080 call center, and then access the Economic Census website to participate.

Statistics Korea stated, "As social distancing in the metropolitan area was raised to level 4, the survey methods and internet survey period for the Economic Census, which is conducted until the end of this month, have been changed." They added, "Although the difficulties of small business owners and self-employed people, who make up most of the survey targets, have increased, we hope business owners actively participate as their valuable participation is the foundation for accurate statistics."