Military Service Physical Examinations Suspended Until the 17th of This Month

Enlistees are undergoing physical examinations at the Military Manpower Administration.

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] Nationwide military service physical examinations are suspended until the 17th of this month to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). The suspension period has been extended by one week beyond the original plan.

On the 6th, the Military Manpower Administration announced, in principle, the examinations are scheduled to resume on the 20th, but the final decision on the resumption date will depend on the COVID-19 spread and manpower recruitment situation.

The Military Manpower Administration temporarily suspended military service physical examinations starting February 24. The initial suspension period was two weeks, but it was extended twice, and the examinations were originally scheduled to be suspended until the 10th of this month.

However, re-examinations that only cover certain subjects and physical examinations for recruitment applicants scheduled to enlist in May will be conducted on a limited basis.

Due to the two-week postponement of the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), the examination end date has also been delayed by two weeks, from the original November 27 to December 11.

The Military Manpower Administration will notify those who have received military service physical examination notices about the suspension via phone calls or alert messages. When the examinations resume, the administration plans to separately schedule examination dates reflecting individual preferences.

A Military Manpower Administration official said, "We will do our best to prevent the spread of COVID-19," and added, "The decision on whether to resume examinations on the 20th will be made after comprehensive review."