US Says No Plans to Cancel Hanmi Joint Exercises Amid COVID-19 Concerns

US Department of Defense Spokesperson Reveals

The 2nd Brigade Combat Team (Dagger Brigade) of the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division, which is rotationally deployed to Korea, has arrived in Korea. On the 13th, the U.S. Eighth Army Headquarters announced, "As the rotationally deployed armored brigade combat team begins arriving in Korea, tracked vehicles and other equipment started being brought into Gwangyang Port this week."

Amid concerns that the upcoming South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises scheduled for next month may face disruptions due to the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the U.S. Department of Defense has stated that it has no plans to cancel the joint exercises, according to a report by Voice of America (VOA) on the 21st (local time).

David Eastburn, a spokesperson for the Department of Defense, responded to VOA's question about the possibility of canceling the joint exercises amid the worsening COVID-19 situation in South Korea.

Meanwhile, as confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to emerge in Daegu and Gyeongbuk, the U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) has raised its COVID-19 threat level. Consequently, visits by USFK personnel to Daegu have been prohibited.

According to the USFK Facebook page on the 20th, General Robert Abrams, commander of USFK, implemented preventive measures the previous day to protect military forces from the COVID-19 outbreak in Daegu.

USFK explained that it has elevated the threat level for USFK personnel and facilities from 'low' to 'moderate' until the epidemiological investigation by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is completed.

Commander Abrams stated, "The welfare of soldiers, their families, and civilian employees stationed in the Daegu area has become the top priority," adding, "Preventive measures have been implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the Daegu region."

Until the epidemiological investigation concludes, all USFK personnel who visited the Shincheonji Church since the 9th of this month are required to self-quarantine. Family members and civilian employees have also been advised to undergo quarantine measures.