Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun has directed the Education Ministry to review expanding in-person classes at schools in the new semester.

Chairing a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters on Saturday, Chung mentioned the prolonged online learning which has continued during the pandemic and said that "this year should be somewhat different."

He asked the ministry to consult with health authorities to prepare ways to conduct classes and antivirus measures at schools in the new semester. 

The prime minister said that students and parents are dealing with a mixture of anticipation and concern over whether physical attendance can resume in the spring.

He ordered officials to sufficiently review research results and various opinions based on the past year's experience.

Chung said there are concerns of a widening learning gap due to prolonged remote classes and the lack of socializing and depression among students who haven't met friends for a long time, as well as the increased burden on parents.

He also cited a study showing that there is a low risk of infection at schools.