Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

Government left with 100 million Covid masks nearing expiry

The Korean government is sitting on more than 100 million face masks bought during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic that are either nearing expiration or must be released soon, raising concerns about waste and a lack of recycling measures.

2025-05-19

Masks not done and dusted

Face masks are displayed at a supermarket in Seoul on March 25, amid poor air quality nationwide due to high concentrations of fine dust and yellow dust.

2025-03-25

Mask mandate for hospitals lifted as Covid-19 alert lowered

Visitors and staffers at hospitals and other medical facilities will not be required to wear face masks starting Wednesday as most remaining Covid-19 restrictions were lifted.

2024-05-01

Korea, Lush team up to boost bean consumption with use in products

Lush Korea and the Agriculture Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at expanding the consumption of locally farmed beans.

2024-04-29

Foreigner-friendly Olive Young opens in Seoul

The renovated Olive Young 'Myeong-dong Town' branch draws tourists with its trendy K-beauty products, expanding its customer base to a global audience.

2023-11-01

[Editorial] Moving on from the mask mandate (KOR)

The government should be careful not to return to the draconian control of people’s daily lives if autonomous quarantine fails to curb potential risk factors.

2023-01-30

[Editorial] Moving on from the mask mandate

The government should be careful not to return to the draconian control of people’s daily lives if autonomous quarantine fails to curb potential risk factors.

2023-01-29

[Column] It’s too early to take off face masks

To protect high-risk groups and prevent a rapid spread, Korea needs to keep a mask-mandate in public transportation and nursing facilities as well as high-risk facilities in hospitals until Covid-19 becomes endemic like the flu.

2022-12-22

Province threatens to end indoor mask mandate on its own

South Chungcheong vowed to end the indoor mask mandate on its own if it isn't lifted nationwide.

2022-12-05

Korean city upsets the applecart with mask mandate memo

Daejeon's announcement that it will lift the indoor mask mandate effective Jan. 1 brings it into conflict with national health authorities and challenges one of Korea's last remaining Covid restrictions.

2022-12-04