[Yang Nak-gyu's Defense Club] How Did COVID-19 Penetrate the Military?

The Army, Navy, and Air Force Headquarters located at Gyeryongdae in Daejeon.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has penetrated the military. After a soldier stationed at a naval unit in Jeju Island tested positive for COVID-19, confirmed cases have also emerged at Gyeryongdae, the heart of the military, leading to a surge of infected military personnel nationwide. This has raised concerns that the military's initial response may have been inadequate.

According to the government on the 21st, Private First Class A of the Navy, located in Jeju Island, visited Daegu on leave from the 13th to the 18th. Upon returning, Private A showed symptoms such as coughing starting on the 19th. On the 20th, he visited the screening clinic at Jeju Halla Hospital and tested positive. He is the first confirmed case in Jeju Island and the first confirmed soldier case.

On the 18th, when Private A returned from leave, the 31st confirmed COVID-19 patient was reported in Daegu. However, Private A returned to his unit and worked normally as a cook the next day. Since the 31st patient was the first case in the Gyeongnam region, there are criticisms that quarantine measures should have been prioritized. In response, the Navy stated, "Following the guidelines of the quarantine authorities, he was diagnosed positive while under self-quarantine and was transferred to Jeju National University Hospital."

On the 11th, the Ministry of National Defense decided to restrict attendance of parents, relatives, and family members at the entrance ceremonies of military academies including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, but reversed the decision the next day on the 12th to allow attendance. Accordingly, the Air Force Academy (Gongsa) held the entrance ceremony on the 17th with parents attending as scheduled. However, a family member of a cadet who attended the ceremony was confirmed positive for COVID-19. Critics argue that if the Ministry of National Defense had maintained the original restriction on family attendance, it could have prevented confusion among parents and the risk of COVID-19 spread.

The future remains problematic. Since the 10th, the military has conducted a full survey to identify the number of soldiers who took leave to Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions. As a result, the Navy has over 1,000 personnel, and the Army is known to have an even larger number. Additionally, an Air Force officer dispatched to the Air Force Meteorological Unit at Gyeryongdae reportedly commuted using public transportation and frequented nearby restaurants. Concerns about additional confirmed cases are growing.

There is also an emergency in mission execution. In Daegu, the Air Force 11th Fighter Wing (11 Jeonbi) and the Logistics Command are located, raising tensions. The 11 Jeonbi is equipped with the Air Force's main F-15K fighter jets. The F-15K has a wider operational radius and superior maneuverability compared to other fighters, performing critical missions such as responding to aircraft entering the Korean Air Defense Identification Zone (KADIZ). This is why the military has paid special attention and given particular instructions to the personnel at the 11 Jeonbi. There is concern that the COVID-19 situation could disrupt security readiness.

The status of the Korea-U.S. joint military exercises is also uncertain. Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, who will visit the United States starting on the 23rd, is likely to finalize discussions on postponing the Korea-U.S. joint exercises scheduled to begin on March 9 during talks with U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. The military is currently reported to have started preliminary preparations for training, including combat staff training and Battle Simulation Center (BSC) personnel education, since mid-February.