'Social Distancing Extension' Traps Self-Employed... Collective Action to Resume Soon

Expecting Deregulation Relief... Devastated by 2-Week Extension
Self-Employed Emergency Committee Calls for Protest Methods from Members
Plans to Launch Protest Soon After Gathering Opinions

Amid the prolonged COVID-19 crisis, the debt of self-employed individuals increased by nearly 10 trillion won in the second quarter (April to June) of this year alone. According to the "2021 Q2 Depository Institutions' Industry-Specific Loan Data" released by the Bank of Korea on the 1st, the outstanding loans from deposit banks to non-corporate enterprises (self-employed) reached 418.5 trillion won at the end of the second quarter, an increase of 9.4 trillion won compared to the previous quarter. The photo shows the lifeless scene of Myeongdong on that day. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporters Seungyoon Song and Jeongyun Lee] "It’s basically telling self-employed people to just die."

On the first day of the two-week extension of social distancing measures on the 4th, Jo (69), the owner of a gukbap (soup with rice) restaurant near Jamsil Station in Seoul, wore a consistently gloomy expression. Jo lamented that since the COVID-19 outbreak, his sales have been cut in half, making it difficult even to cover rent. He has been operating in a once-bustling food alley, but the streets are now empty in the evenings. Hoping that things might improve if distancing measures were eased, he has been enduring losses to avoid closing down. However, with the same situation repeating, he said he no longer has the strength to hold on. Jo said, "They keep extending social distancing, but it feels like the responsibility for failing to properly manage the increase in confirmed cases in the past is being shifted onto self-employed people," adding, "Isn’t this just telling us to die?" Throughout the conversation, he repeatedly said, "It’s really hard. It’s hard."

With the social distancing phase extended by another two weeks, the sighs of self-employed people are growing deeper. Most self-employed individuals, who had hoped for some easing of restrictions ahead of the transition to ‘With Corona,’ now wear expressions of despair.

Kim (45), who runs a meat restaurant in Gangnam, said, "I was holding on just waiting for the news of ‘With Corona,’ but now that social distancing has been extended again, I just feel empty," adding, "The remaining two weeks will feel incredibly long, and it will be a time to decide whether to continue the business or quit."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Collective actions by self-employed people pushed to the brink also seem likely to continue immediately. The Self-Employed Emergency Committee has posted messages on their self-created online cafe and is soliciting ideas from members on protest methods. The post has received over 100 comments with various proposals pouring in. Ideas include expanding the existing vehicle protests, lighting protests, joint responses by different groups, and poster production. Many comments also called for leading protests in a somewhat stronger manner, similar to other organizations. The committee plans to compile members’ opinions, hold internal meetings, and soon decide on and implement the protest methods.

A committee official said, "We thought we had sufficiently conveyed our voices through vehicle protests and setting up memorial altars, but this announcement made us realize once again that there is no deep consideration for self-employed people, which was very frustrating," adding, "Based on the current behavior, I think this social distancing could be extended again even after it ends this time."

According to the revised social distancing plan, from today until midnight on the 17th, the metropolitan area will remain at level 4, and non-metropolitan areas at level 3. Restaurants and cafes in level 4 areas can operate on-site until 10 p.m., and gatherings of up to six people are allowed, including two fully vaccinated individuals before 6 p.m., and up to six people including four fully vaccinated individuals after 6 p.m. The same standards as before apply. However, restrictions on the number of people at weddings, first birthday parties, and sports facilities have been partially eased, focusing on fully vaccinated individuals.