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Travel concerns over MERS hits LA Korean American community

June 3, 2015
A woman wearing a mask as a precaution against the MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, virus uses her smartphone on the street in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, June 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A woman wearing a mask as a precaution against the MERS, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, virus uses her smartphone on the street in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, June 2, 2015. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

By The Korea Times Los Angeles staff

As the number of confirmed MERS cases in South Korea grows to 30, travel concerns have hit the Los Angeles Korean American community.

The Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak has killed two and put more than 1,000 people in quarantine in South Korea. Hundreds of schools have shut down. People have begun walking the streets in masks.

The outbreak comes just in time for summer season, during which a larger number of people travel to Korea. Korea is already seeing ill effects on its tourism industry — according to the Korea Tourism Organization and the Korea Association of Travel Agents Monday, about 1,300 travelers from Taiwan canceled their trips.

Local travel agencies and airlines have been hit with inquiries about changing travel plans after news of MERS.

An Asiana Airlines source from its Los Angeles office said it expects hurdles this weekend, when more travelers opt to fly.

Korean American parents with plans to send their kids to Korea for summer programs have been calling with worry, said Jeff Lee, a director of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, which organizes a few of those programs.

“We plan to keep up with the situation in Korea before making any changes to the schedule,” Lee said.