S. Korea hits record 400,000 plus cases amid Omicron wave

South Korea has continued to relax its social distancing rules, under pressure from small businesses and self-employed Koreans who say years-long Covid restrictions had pushed their businesses to the brink. - Reuters

SEOUL (AFP): South Korea reported more than 400,000 new coronavirus cases Wednesday (March 16), a new record, as the country continues to ease restrictions despite the Omicron-fuelled wave of infections.

Health authorities said 400,741 cases were recorded, the country's highest daily figure since the pandemic began two years ago.