The Diplomat has removed paywall restrictions on our coverage of the COVID–19 crisis. A medical worker wearing protective gear takes sample from a woman during a COVID-19 testing at a coronavirus testing site in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2020. Credit: AP Photo/Lee Jin-man Advertisement In the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, South Korea tightened restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. The number of cases declined and the country was applauded by the international community as a rare success story in grappling with the pandemic. However, South Korea is now preparing to take its toughest and strongest measures yet to curb a resurgence of the virus.