Korean expats worry about family back home
CAUGHT IN A DILEMMA, CONCERNED RESIDENTS SAY THEY CAN NEITHER GO HOME NOR BRING RELATIVES OVER
Korean expats in the UAE are worried about their families back home and many are postponing their overseas travel plans, including visits for the cherry blossoms spring festival, because of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.
South Korea has seen the highest numbers of cases of Covid-19 outside of China, with 977 confirmed cases and seven deaths. Speaking to Gulf News yesterday, Ahra Go, a hotelier in Dubai, said: “This is a very unfortunate turn of events. I’m worried about my family in Korea and I have actually cancelled my planned vacation in April.”
‘We cannot invite friends ’
Late March and early April are the best times to visit South Korea, with the famous cherry blossoms blooming in central regions, including Seoul, Incheon and Daejeon as well as the southern regions such as Busan, Gwangju, Jeonju, and Daegu, where at least 543 coronavirus cases have been reported.
Another Korean expat Yoon Hee, 36, who works as cabin crew, added: “At the moment, we are extremely worried. We cannot go home for vacation and we also cannot invite family and friends to come to Dubai.”
“The number of people infected with Covid-19 is increasing and it’s becoming a big concern for a small and
The Korean people and government are one in fighting the coronavirus. We also endeavour to develop vaccination and medicine. In the end, I do believe that we will prevail over this [crisis].”
Chun Young Wook | South Korean Consul General
cosmopolitan country like South Korea. A lot of offices are closed and a lot of my friends are working from home,” added the 14-year Dubai resident, who is originally from Seoul.
She is also postponing any overseas trip as South Korea is facing a string of travel restrictions in at least 14 countries and
territories over the rapid spread of Covid-19. Yoon is also worried about how long it could take for normal life to return in South Korea.
Schools remain closed
According to the South Korean consulate-general, there are around 13,000 Korean expats in the UAE, with 7,000 of them living and working in Dubai and the Northern Emirates.
Jiwoo Choi, 36, a Dubai resident of 11 years, said the opening of schools, which is supposed to start in March, has been postponed. “The entry of my niece to nursery is also delayed,” she told Gulf News.
“I hope the virus will stop spreading. As an expat, there is nothing much I can do at the moment but to always remind my family and friends to take care of themselves, wear masks and avoid big crowds.”
South Korean Consul General Chun Young Wook told Gulf News: “The Korean people and government are one in fighting the coronavirus. We strictly follow the general hygiene rules and make every effort to contain its spread. We also endeavour to develop vaccination and medicine. In the end, I do believe that we will prevail over this [crisis].”