[Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club] Around 100 Soldiers Visited China... Military on High Alert

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Yang Nakgyu] The military authorities have been put on high alert after it was confirmed that around 100 soldiers had visited China. The military has decided to immediately quarantine these soldiers within their units and monitor their health during the incubation period of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia).

On January 28, a military official stated, "Since the beginning of this month, around 100 soldiers have visited China-about 80 from the Army and about 10 each from the Navy and Air Force. Each branch is currently quarantining these personnel."

The military is also investigating the possibility that some soldiers may have traveled to China during the year-end leave period without prior notification to their units. The military has announced that if any of the soldiers who visited China are confirmed to be infected with the novel coronavirus, special management measures will be implemented.

The Armed Forces Medical Command (AFMC) issued a directive to all units on January 6, when Wuhan pneumonia emerged in China, to strengthen the surveillance system related to the outbreak of group pneumonia in Wuhan. The Armed Forces Medical Research Institute has also established a relevant diagnostic system and is operating a nationally designated isolation ward (with 8 beds) at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital, while preparing military epidemiological investigators for rapid deployment. On January 23, the AFMC secured 5,000 sets of personal protective equipment and over 20,000 N95 masks from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s reserve supplies and distributed them to 13 military hospitals. Preparations have also been completed for operating screening clinics, which are activated under the 'alert' level of the infectious disease crisis warning system.

Screening clinics are medical facilities separated from general facilities and are operated for suspected cases of the novel pneumonia, specifically treating patients with a fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher. The AFMC has presented the following behavioral guidelines for soldiers: ▲ Always wear a mask and maintain personal hygiene such as hand washing ▲ Refrain from visiting crowded public places and avoid contact with unspecified foreigners when going out ▲ Report to the duty officer and medical chain in case of fever or respiratory symptoms ▲ Avoid contact with travelers from China since January 2020. Additionally, all units have been advised to: ▲ Restrict soldiers’ travel and business trips to China ▲ Ensure personal hygiene rules are followed before soldiers go on leave ▲ Provide education on reporting any health abnormalities ▲ Control access for visitors and guests to the units.

The Ministry of National Defense formed a task force and held its first meeting at around 8 p.m. on January 27, after the government raised the infectious disease crisis level from 'caution' to 'alert.' The task force is composed of divisions for medical support, unit management, education and training, and reserve force management. Its missions include providing civilian support and establishing measures to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases into the military through daily situation assessments.

Previously, the military deployed around 100 medical and general personnel, including military doctors and nurse officers, to 21 airport and port quarantine stations nationwide. Military doctors and other medical staff support quarantine inspections and epidemiological investigations, while general personnel assist with quarantine tasks such as temperature checks.