Photos by @junmichaelpark @seoulphotographer for @businessweek / In November I joined Bloomberg’s Matt Campbell on a 5-day journey to report on South Korea’s relative success against COVID-19. We interviewed restaurant and pub owners in a popular nightlife district in Seoul, a scientist at the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the health minister, a testing kit company’s chairman and a contact tracer.
Barely a month has passed between our reporting and the story’s publication. Today, Korea hit 950 cases, the largest daily number since the pandemic began. Unfortunately, the country’s handling of COVID has become a cautionary tale on how easy it is for political leaders and people to get complacent. The government’s concern about the economy and its hesitation to restrict people’s freedom of movement are understandable, but it seems like they were basking in the success story of “K-Prevention” and reacted rather too slowly to crank up the social distancing measures this time. After nearly a year of enduring masks, social distancing and financial losses, people are tired and acting carelessly. The fundamental strategy of testing, tracing and isolating remains valid. However, everyone needs to continue to step up for the sacrifices of medical workers and public servants not to be in vain.
The story made Bloomberg Businessweek’s international cover. I also shot video for their 14-minute documentary. It wasn’t easy juggling both photo and video at the same time, but I’m proud of the outcome.
Many thanks to photo editor Ariel Brown and visuals director Diana Suryakusuma for trusting me with this one.