How South Korea Is Coping with COVID-19

Source: Ji-yeon Lee, used with permission

As COVID-19 continues to take a toll on countries around the world, there has been significant variation in governments’ responses. In South Korea, culture and social contexts have positively impacted the way the country has addressed both the pandemic and the ensuing mental health issues.

Source: Yun-Jeong Shin, used with permission

Ji-yeon Lee, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Graduate School of Education at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Seoul, South Korea. She received her Ph.D. from Purdue University with a major in Counseling Psychology. Her areas of specialization include attachment, counseling psychology, and cyber-sexual violence.

Yun-Jeong Shin, Ph.D., is an associate professor at the Department of Education at Seoul National University. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Purdue University and her research interest focuses mainly on issues related to career development and counseling psychology.

Jamie Aten: How did you first get interested in this topic?

Ji-yeon Lee: When the pandemic first began spreading in Korea, I thought it was an issue unique to Korea. However, as I watched it gradually become a global issue, I started to write about how we have dealt with it. In dealing with COVID-19, psychological interventions in each country reflect the unique cultural characteristics of each nation. Nevertheless, there are interventions that we can learn from each other.

JA: What was the focus of your study?

JL: We tried to demonstrate how social systems and cultural contexts could affect individuals’ well-being in dealing with COVID-19. The common psychological experiences in dealing with COVID-19 are helplessness and fear because the situation is unexpected and uncontrollable. We wanted to show that an efficient government crisis intervention and timely (and transparent) information dissemination are helpful in lessening citizens’ anxiety and fear regarding the pandemic. Also, South Korea’s public health system is offering virtually free treatment for COVID-19. This easy and equal access to the medical system helps to prevent individuals from panicking. Along with the government’s efforts, South Korea’s infrastructures, such as fast and convenient internet and communication network services (e.g., 5G) and cheap and fast delivery services help individuals feel connected and function well remotely. Also, psychological and psychiatric associations provided useful tools and guidelines for mental health. These social systems definitely helped citizens gain a sense of control by knowing what to expect and what they need to do (vs. what they can’t control).

JA: What did you discover in your study?

JL: South Korea’s strategy in addressing the COVID-19 crisis demonstrated a psychological defense model created by the collaboration among the government, experts, and the public. Strong feelings of solidarity among citizens of South Korea have been beneficial in individuals’ active cooperation with the government’s guidelines. Numerous stories of altruism during the pandemic have provided hope and support for citizens who are practicing physical distancing by providing a sense of connection while they work remotely. However, COVID-19 has also exposed the inequalities in our society. The more vulnerable populations suffered greater damage. As social distancing (physical distancing) is observed, the number of cases of domestic violence, child abuse, and cybersexual violence (Abramson, 2020) have increased worldwide; hence, community-based outreach activities are needed. In addition, discrimination and hate issues need to be further addressed as well. Social distancing can aggravate mental health issues; as such, crisis intervention is needed for high-risk individuals. Mental health professionals must be more proactive and target marginalized populations in preventing and treating mental health issues.

JA: How might readers apply what you found to their lives during COVID-19?

Yun-Jeong Shin: As the pandemic period has continued longer than was expected, more people are suffering from psychological distress, colloquially referred to as “Corona Blues.” For physical safety, we need to keep physical distancing, but for psychological well-being, we need to be emotionally close and connected to each other. For this reason, we hope that readers can use self-aid tips during this COVID-19 pandemic. There are lots of resources to manage psychological distress and isolated feelings via social media or online platform of mental health organizations. In addition, we hope readers will take this opportunity to educate themselves on other cultures and their values via various online platforms, especially with regard to how other countries have managed COVID-19. Every country has unique systems with diverse cultural values, and the integrated effects from the individual, structural, and cultural factors have led to various results managing the pandemic. If people can be more open to learning different ways to think, behave, and operate systems by observing and respecting others, the pandemic can be an opportunity to promote a sense of resilience and community among us.

JA: How can readers use what you found to help others amidst this pandemic?

YJS: We hope for readers to continue implementing safe practices such as wearing masks in public spaces, since safe behavior will help everyone, including oneself and others. From this pandemic, we have learned that all of us are connected, whether we want it or not. It's time to learn that we need to act for the good of the community to enjoy our freedom. We can come together by showing appreciation for those working in medical fields, sharing the tips to have fun or to keep healthy mentally and physically, and sending encouraging and hopeful messages online for others who feel isolated and drained.

JA: What are you currently working on that you might like to share about?

YJS: We (Ji-yeon Lee & Yun-Jeong Shin) have currently been working together on a project looking into how the maximization tendency impacts our romantic relationships as well as subjective underemployment. In addition, we’ve worked on several projects with other colleagues to explore the individual’s experience during COVID-19, such as what working mothers have experienced in managing the work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how hate speech toward marginalized people is expressed in media.