An Analysis of South Korea’s COVID-19 Response Strategy Using Schauer’s Values of Transparency

While the South Korean government’s IT-based strategies during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were highly effective, they also highlighted pressing ethical concerns regarding information disclosure and governance. This article emphasizes the critical role of personal information disclosure regulations as a transparency measure requiring a systematic approach. Using Schauer’s values of transparency (i.e. regulation, efficiency, epistemology and democracy), we analyze key amendments to the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention Act and related policies, tracing their evolution from the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in 2015 to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Significant improvements were identified in information management procedures, including pre- and post-disclosure actions and government-led information administration. However, the absence of standardized procedures for determining disclosure specifications raises concerns about democratic safeguards. To respond effectively to future infectious diseases, efforts should prioritize balancing transparency with ethical and procedural standards to ensure the accountable handling of disclosed information.