Health authorities are warning the upcoming Liberation Day holiday could trigger an even more devastating phase of the pandemic. 

Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Commissioner Jeong Eun-kyeong issued the warning in a media briefing on Friday, saying it is highly likely the spread of the delta variant during the three-day holiday could lead to a massive outbreak that will surpass the ongoing fourth wave of the pandemic. 

Jeong estimated that with hundreds and even thousands of COVID-19 cases reported daily for months, there are many across the nation who have contracted the virus but have yet to be identified as they showed little to no symptoms.

It would take a long time before authorities will be able to contain the current surge of outbreak due to these unidentified cases, she said.

Under such conditions, the KDCA chief said, meetings, travels and political gatherings during the holiday could further exacerbate the infection rate.   


She said the nation has yet to see the worst of the fourth wave and that the current surge will likely continue for the time being.