SEOUL: South Koreans will forego some of their most cherished traditions when they celebrate their thanksgiving holiday of Chuseok this week, as the coronavirus forces many to hold virtual services instead of visiting their ancestral sites.
COVID-19 has given impetus to cultural shifts already taking place in a once Confucian society that has become Asia’s fourth-largest economy, which is seeing an erosion in traditional family structures and a rapidly aging population.
Authorities have urged people to refrain from travel and follow social-distancing guidelines during the five-day break starting on Wednesday, even though the rate of new COVID-19 cases has slowed.
Lee Yong-su, 34, whose ancestors founded Korea’s last ruling dynasty of Joseon, said he would not make the customary visit to his parents, preferring instead staying home with his pregnant wife and six-year-old son.
“My…