Anthony Kuhn

Both countries eased some of their intensive rules after new cases slowed to a trickle. But clusters have cropped up again this month, and authorities are ramping up testing to try to curb the spread.

South Korea planned to reopen schools on Wednesday. But with a new spike in cases, the country has had to delay school starting by a week and close down all bars and clubs.

The United States has the highest coronavirus death toll in the world. NPR's international correspondents discuss what the U.S. response to the pandemic means for America's standing in the world.

South Korea's use of personal data to trace coronavirus infections has inadvertently led to the stigmatization of some patients.

The rumor mill has been in overdrive about the whereabouts and the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un after he missed a high profile event earlier this month.

The sea monster from folklore has emerged in art, food and fashion as a symbol of hope and pop culture mascot. Its first depiction was in 1846, telling people to draw it and "be free from disease."

President Moon Jae-in's ruling Democratic Party won a landslide victory in legislative elections, an apparent national vote of approval for his government's handling of the pandemic.

While many world leaders have seen their popularity increase during the pandemic, only a few seem to have captured the national mood in a way that has helped them lead their citizens.

South Korean voters got to the polls Wednesday for legislative elections. The vote is seen as a report card for the president's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. His performance ratings are high.

Japan's Prime Minister will announce a state of emergency Tuesday, in Tokyo and six other regions. It's largely symbolic since most people are following government advice already.

The prime minister confirmed Monday that he would issue the declaration that allows governors of hard-hit prefectures to issue stay-at-home directives.

As the coronavirus spreads, there is growing public concern over some of the methods being used by governments to enforce containment methods.

Due to an impasse over defense cost sharing, the U.S. military has furloughed thousands of Korean employees. The furloughs come as U.S. forces in South Korea grapple with cases of COVID-19 infection.

Hopes that Japan had managed to avoid an explosion in COVID-19 cases fade, as the numbers rise and the country teeters on the brink of declaring a national emergency and lockdown.

Japan has so far avoided the explosion of cases that China and South Korea have seen. The Japan Medical Association has called for declaring an emergency that could lead to a three-week lockdown.

A phone call with President Moon was initiated at the "urgent request" of President Trump, according to Seoul. After fast-tracking test kits, South Korea can do 15,000 to 20,000 tests a day.

Japan's prime minister announces Tuesday that the Tokyo Olympics, originally due to start July 24 will be postponed until next summer, at latest.

Speaking before Parliament, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said: "[W]e may have no choice but to decide to postpone the Games." The Olympics are set to start on July 24.

Under pressure from the spreading pandemic, as well as anxious athletes and corporate sponsors, Japan finally conceded that it may have no choice but to postpone this summer's Tokyo Olympics.

Doctors estimate they can do 10 tests an hour — double the number in an indoor clinic.