As of August 28, 2023, confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) patients in their forties made up the largest share of patients in South Korea, amounting to around 15.2 percent of all positive cases. The first wave lasted until April, with the second wave following in August of 2020. This was further followed by a fourth wave, driven by the delta and omicron variants. Though the country has since achieved high vaccination rates, the omicron variant led to record new daily cases in 2022.

Patient profile

In South Korea, the infection rate of coronavirus was the highest among people in the twenties due to their social activities. Indeed, the new infections related to the clubgoers in Seoul are likely to increase the infection rate between young people. 158 out of 261 clubgoer-related confirmed patients were in teenagers or in their twenties, and 36 patients were in their thirties. The mortality rate of coronavirus by age group was somewhat different from the age distribution of total infection cases. It was highest among people in their eighties, with this group making up around 59.6 percent of deaths related to the coronavirus in South Korea. Mortality declined with each younger age group.

Daily life changes

In South Korea, a new policy of "With Corona" has been launched in order to ease society back into a new norm of living with the virus, without having too many restrictions in place. This is based on high vaccination rates, and includes strict quarantine measures for those who are infected and their close contacts. There are plans to improve the verification of vaccination and test certificates for use in public spaces. Most South Koreans have responded to rising numbers by once again avoiding crowded places or going out. It is common to wear masks regardless of diseases, so people are continuing to wear masks when they need to go out. Also, people prefer to do online shopping than physical shopping, and online sales of food and health-related products have increased by more than 700 percent compared to last year. Spending on living, cooking, and furniture has increased significantly as people spend more time at home.

South Korea recorded 31415280 Coronavirus Cases since the epidemic began, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, South Korea reported 34610 Coronavirus Deaths. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for South Korea Coronavirus Cases.

In past 24 hours, S. Korea, Asia had N/A new cases, N/A deaths and N/A recoveries.

South Korea recorded 147693 Coronavirus Recovered since the epidemic began, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, South Korea reported 4456 Coronavirus Deaths. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for South Korea Coronavirus Recovered.

The number of COVID-19 vaccination doses administered per 100 people in South Korea rose to 250 as of Oct 27 2023. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for South Korea Coronavirus Vaccination Rate.

South Korea KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: SDC: Jeju data was reported at 0.000 Person in 21 Apr 2021. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 Person for 20 Apr 2021. South Korea KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: SDC: Jeju data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 Person from Feb 2020 (Median) to 21 Apr 2021, with 423 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.000 Person in 21 Apr 2021 and a record low of 0.000 Person in 21 Apr 2021. South Korea KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: SDC: Jeju data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table KR.D001: Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) (Discontinued).

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) country report analyses how the pandemic will impact retail spend in South Korea. Read More

WHO: COVID-2019: Number of Patients: Death: To-Date: South Korea data was reported at 35,934.000 Person in 24 Dec 2023. This stayed constant from the previous number of 35,934.000 Person for 23 Dec 2023. WHO: COVID-2019: Number of Patients: Death: To-Date: South Korea data is updated daily, averaging 5,909.500 Person from Jan 2020 (Median) to 24 Dec 2023, with 1436 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 35,934.000 Person in 24 Dec 2023 and a record low of 0.000 Person in 19 Feb 2020. WHO: COVID-2019: Number of Patients: Death: To-Date: South Korea data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Health Organization. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table WHO.D002: World Health Organization: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019): by Country and Region (Discontinued).

This data package includes the underlying data files to replicate the data, tables, and charts presented in How did Korea’s fiscal accounts fare during the COVID-19 pandemic? PIIE Policy Brief 23-8.

If you use the data, please cite as: Gagnon, Joseph E., and Asher Rose. 2023. How did Korea’s fiscal accounts fare during the COVID-19 pandemic? PIIE Policy Brief 23-8. Washington, DC: Peterson Institute for International Economics.

Covid reproduction rate in South Korea, January, 2023 The most recent value is 0.96 rate as of January 2023, a decline compared to the previous value of 1.05 rate. Historically, the average for South Korea from February 2020 to January 2023 is 1.12 rate. The minimum of 0.53 rate was recorded in April 2020, while the maximum of 3.82 rate was reached in February 2020. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

As of August 1, 2021, over 11.7 million coronavirus (COVID-19) tests were conducted in South Korea. South Korea succeeded in flattening the infection curve by rapidly conducting extensive tests immediately in the early stages and exported medical products and hygiene products to other countries. However, from July 2021, Korea has been dealing with a fourth wave because of the spread of the delta variant and low vaccination numbers. As of August 13, 2021, South Korea confirmed 220,182 cases of infection including 2,144 deaths.

For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.

Total people vaccinated against Covid in South Korea, March, 2023 The most recent value is 44800000 total people vaccinated as of March 2023, no change compared to the previous value of 44800000 total people vaccinated. Historically, the average for South Korea from February 2021 to March 2023 is 35049110 total people vaccinated. The minimum of 41959 total people vaccinated was recorded in February 2021, while the maximum of 44800000 total people vaccinated was reached in July 2022. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

Covid fully vaccinated people per hundred people in South Korea, March, 2023 The most recent value is 85.68 Covid fully vaccinated people per hundred people as of March 2023, an increase compared to the previous value of 85.67 Covid fully vaccinated people per hundred people. Historically, the average for South Korea from February 2021 to March 2023 is 62.51 Covid fully vaccinated people per hundred people. The minimum of 0.02 Covid fully vaccinated people per hundred people was recorded in February 2021, while the maximum of 85.68 Covid fully vaccinated people per hundred people was reached in March 2023. | TheGlobalEconomy.com

KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: EOI: Gwangju data was reported at 6.000 Person in 21 Apr 2021. This stayed constant from the previous number of 6.000 Person for 20 Apr 2021. KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: EOI: Gwangju data is updated daily, averaging 6.000 Person from Feb 2020 (Median) to 21 Apr 2021, with 423 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.000 Person in 21 Apr 2021 and a record low of 1.000 Person in 24 Mar 2020. KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: EOI: Gwangju data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table KR.D001: Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) (Discontinued).

Change in participation due to COVID-19.

Change in physical activity due to COVID-19.

Change in depression due to COVID-19.

KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: EOI: Gyeongbuk data was reported at 4.000 Person in 21 Apr 2021. This stayed constant from the previous number of 4.000 Person for 20 Apr 2021. KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: EOI: Gyeongbuk data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 Person from Feb 2020 (Median) to 21 Apr 2021, with 401 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.000 Person in 21 Apr 2021 and a record low of 0.000 Person in 30 Jan 2021. KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: EOI: Gyeongbuk data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table KR.D001: Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) (Discontinued).

South Korea KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: QDH: Incheon data was reported at 0.000 Person in 07 Aug 2020. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 Person for 06 Aug 2020. South Korea KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: QDH: Incheon data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 Person from Feb 2020 (Median) to 07 Aug 2020, with 166 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.000 Person in 07 Aug 2020 and a record low of 0.000 Person in 07 Aug 2020. South Korea KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: QDH: Incheon data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table KR.D001: Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) (Discontinued).

KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: Others: Chungbuk data was reported at 422.000 Person in 21 Apr 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 413.000 Person for 20 Apr 2021. KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: Others: Chungbuk data is updated daily, averaging 23.000 Person from Feb 2020 (Median) to 21 Apr 2021, with 423 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 422.000 Person in 21 Apr 2021 and a record low of 0.000 Person in 25 Feb 2020. KCDC: COVID-19: Patients: 0000H: Con: Others: Chungbuk data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The data is categorized under High Frequency Database’s Disease Outbreaks – Table KR.D001: Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) (Discontinued).