More Schools Close Amid Fears of MERS

An increasing number of schools are canceling classes as fears mount about the spread of Middle East respiratory syndrome.

According to the Ministry of Education more than 500 schools and universities across the nation have shut down temporarily, after an elementary school in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province became the first to cancel classes on Tuesday.

About 10 schools in Seoul decided to shut down due to a rush of requests from worried parents.

The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education sent out letters to schools on Wednesday, allowing principals to close down schools at their discretion if it is deemed necessary.