As of December 21, 2022, around 57 percent of domestic coronavirus (COVID-19) cases diagnosed in South Korea belonging to the dominant Omicron strain were identified as belonging to the subvariant BA.5. Around 31 percent of imported cases belong to the same subvariant. While domestic cases were overwhelmingly of the BA.5 subvariant, imported cases were more varied, with the recent BA.2.75 mutation referred to as BN.1 accounting for a significant share of cases brought into the country. Tracking of BA.5 first began in April 2022, after which it quickly became the dominant strain across many countries worldwide as it has proven more transmissible than prior subvariants. South Korea's handling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) was initially widely praised, though the government's handling of vaccine distribution has been criticized.
For further information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit our dedicated Facts and Figures page.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ can support your business.
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. (December 21, 2022). Overall distribution of coronavirus (COVID-19) Omicron subvariants detected in South Korea as of December 21, 2022, by origin of infection [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 29, 2026, from /statistics/1344424/south-korea-covid-19-omicron-subvariant-cases-by-origin/
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. "Overall distribution of coronavirus (COVID-19) Omicron subvariants detected in South Korea as of December 21, 2022, by origin of infection." Chart. December 21, 2022. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 29, 2026. /statistics/1344424/south-korea-covid-19-omicron-subvariant-cases-by-origin/
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. (2022). Overall distribution of coronavirus (COVID-19) Omicron subvariants detected in South Korea as of December 21, 2022, by origin of infection. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 29, 2026. /statistics/1344424/south-korea-covid-19-omicron-subvariant-cases-by-origin/
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. "Overall Distribution of Coronavirus (Covid-19) Omicron Subvariants Detected in South Korea as of December 21, 2022, by Origin of Infection." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 21 Dec 2022, /statistics/1344424/south-korea-covid-19-omicron-subvariant-cases-by-origin/
Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Overall distribution of coronavirus (COVID-19) Omicron subvariants detected in South Korea as of December 21, 2022, by origin of infection ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1344424/south-korea-covid-19-omicron-subvariant-cases-by-origin/ (last visited July 29, 2026)
Overall distribution of coronavirus (COVID-19) Omicron subvariants detected in South Korea as of December 21, 2022, by origin of infection [Graph], Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, December 21, 2022. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1344424/south-korea-covid-19-omicron-subvariant-cases-by-origin/
