They were hit immediately after the thing started in China. On the interview, the President of South Korea recounted his first reaction when he was told that several citizens had tested positive. He said that his, in my words, "basic nightmare was another MERS" type virus striking South Korea. He immediately got busy leading, calling in and listening to the advice of experts. South Korea started an agressive program of test manufacturing and testing, setting up the now well regarded drive-thru testing protocol because it presented the minimum risk of cross infection and it was three times faster than taking tests in a clinic. The President said that he was open and transparent with citizens about every thing that was being done and why it needed to be done, because that was the only way to have citizens trust the government, given some of the things that had to be done. The medical experts determined where the virus was hot and where it may be spreading and worked WITH provincial and local governments to contain it and do contacts traces for every person that tested positive. A national leader LED instead of lying and encouraging divisive activities from citizens. South Korea has for a while reported zero new infections and few deaths, it's economy is largely intact as it moves forward. The leader talked about how unique and difficult covid19 is and why leaders and citizens must work to keep it under control until a vaccine is developed. It was refreshing to read about how a true leader handled covid19, sort of like what our blue state governors are doing as the braying Ass in the White House makes trouble for them.