Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young: "Chinese International Students Must Be Thoroughly Managed"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] As the novel coronavirus continues to spread, Suwon City has begun implementing measures to address the influx of Chinese international students entering Korea before the university semester begins.

Mayor Yeom Tae-young emphasized at a comprehensive COVID-19 response progress report meeting held at the city's emergency situation room on the 10th, "As the semester opens, we must thoroughly manage Chinese international students entering Korea from China to prevent the spread of infection to the local community."

Mayor Yeom stated, "International students coming from China must undergo self-quarantine for a certain period and be carefully managed," and added, "In addition to Chinese international students, Korean university students who have recently traveled to countries with confirmed cases also require management."

Currently, Chinese international students are enrolled at three universities in Suwon: Kyonggi University, Sungkyunkwan University's Natural Sciences Campus, and Ajou University. Additionally, Chinese international students attend Kyung Hee University's Global Campus, which is administratively located in Yongin City but where students' residential areas overlap with Suwon.

As a result, all four universities have delayed the start of the semester by two weeks. Additionally, plans are in place to implement two-week self-quarantine measures for Chinese international students entering in late February (one person per room in dormitories).

However, it is difficult for universities to completely control dormitory access for those under self-quarantine on their own. Furthermore, international students who do not live in dormitories and reside in areas surrounding the campus are not easily managed by schools.

Mayor Yeom stated, "We must establish more proactive management measures beyond dormitory self-quarantine," and added, "We should also consider conducting virus testing for all international students entering from China, regardless of whether symptoms appear."

He further stated, "I will meet with the presidents of Kyonggi University, Kyung Hee University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Ajou University in the near future to discuss countermeasures."

On the 7th, the city held a meeting at City Hall's situation room with officials in charge of international students from Kyonggi University, Sungkyunkwan University (Natural Sciences Campus), and Ajou University to discuss information sharing and establishing a cooperation system regarding Chinese international students.

Officials from the three universities requested assistance, stating, "Universities have limitations on their own. Support from local governments and the national government is necessary." First Vice Mayor Jo Cheong-sik responded, "We will do our best."