International Comparison of COVID-19 Impact and Policy Responses - Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, the United States, and South Korea

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of COVID-19 policy responses in five major countries—Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Norway—and aims to draw policy implications for future crises. The analysis finds that Korea was particularly vulnerable to employment shocks due to its high concentration of face-to-face service industries, a large share of self-employed workers, and a significant proportion of temporary and daily employment. The impact was especially severe for women.

The pandemic revealed structural weaknesses in the Korean labor market and significant gaps in the employment safety net. To address these issues, it is essential to expand the coverage of unemployment benefits and job retention support, and to enhance the inclusiveness and accessibility of family care and sick leave policies in order to ease care burdens. Strengthening social protection for the self-employed and platform workers is also a critical priority.