FM says privacy concerns in fight against virus ' overblown ' SEOUL , June 9 ( Yonhap ) -- Foreign Minister Kang Kyung - wha said Tuesday concerns about possible breach of patients ' privacy in South Korea in the process of containing the new coronavirus are exaggerated . Kang made the remark during a web seminar hosted by the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance , noting that promptly sharing what the government knows about the virus situation was key to earning public trust in combating COVID - 19 . " I think the concern over the privacy of the patient is rather overblown . Because , what is shared through the alerts is only the location and time of the places along the trajectory of a patient , without indicating his or her name , occupation or address , " she said . South Korea sends alerts to smartphones about positive cases under a law that stipulates the public ' s right to know about health risks that could affect them . Critics said that such a policy could lead to infringement of patients ' privacy rights . " Public trust in the government translated into civic participation and cooperation in the stringent social distancing measures and other guidances advised by the government , " she said . That trust led to the highest voter turnout in nearly three decades during the general elections held in April in the midst of the pandemic , she added . South Korea reported 38 new cases of the virus on Tuesday , raising the total caseload to 11 , 852 . The curve has recently turned upwards again due to cluster infections reported in the Seoul metropolitan area . This image shows a webinar on the new coronavirus under way on June 9 , 2020 . Second from the right is Foreign Minister Kang Kyung - wha . ( PHOTO NOT FOR SALE ) ( Yonhap ) scaaet @ yna . co . kr ( END )