[Summary] All Soldiers Prohibited from Leave and Outings... Highest Number of COVID-19 Confirmed Cases

As social distancing was adjusted to Level 1, military personnel's leave, which had been restricted to prevent the spread of COVID-19, was fully reinstated on the 12th. At Seoul Station, a soldier is waiting in the lounge to use the TMO service. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spreads within the military, the leave of all troops will be restricted starting from the 27th.

On the 26th, the Ministry of National Defense announced, "A total of 70 people, including 66 trainees and 4 officers, at the Army 5th Division Recruit Training Center in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi Province, have tested positive for COVID-19." It added, "Minister of National Defense Seo Wook held an emergency major commanders' meeting (VTC) the day before and decided to temporarily suspend all soldiers' leave and outings until the 7th of next month, raising the 'social distancing' level within all units to 2.5."

The 70 confirmed cases at the Recruit Training Center represent the largest cluster of COVID-19 infections within the military. The total number of soldiers and trainees at this unit is known to be about 1,100, so the number of confirmed cases is likely to increase as diagnostic testing continues. In particular, trainees have been living and training together for about two weeks after enlistment, suggesting close contact. The military plans to suspend training until the full investigation of the Army 5th Division Recruit Training Center is completed.

Soldiers who attended this year's defense exhibition, 'DX KOREA 2020,' also tested positive for COVID-19. These include an Army airborne unit captain (Daejeon case 465), a sergeant (Daejeon case 466), and one Army staff sergeant. It was confirmed that they demonstrated drones at the exhibition. Despite concerns from defense companies, the exhibition, which was pushed forward under the banner of K-quarantine, ultimately became a site of COVID-19 spread. Additionally, due to the confirmed Army staff sergeant, one sergeant from the same unit was also newly confirmed positive. The DXK Organizing Committee had promoted the opening of a K-quarantine pavilion to export K-quarantine and invited health and welfare officials from 13 countries overseas to showcase Korea's excellent medical system and COVID-19 response.

With the occurrence of a large number of confirmed cases, the military has decided to temporarily suspend all soldiers' leave and outings, and also to control private gatherings and dinners among military officers. Face-to-face religious activities within units will be stopped, and military families are prohibited from using civilian religious facilities. Other recruit training centers will conduct outdoor training for two weeks after enlistment, and unit training will be limited to essential outdoor training as determined by general officers.

The Ministry of National Defense stated, "While controlling the movement of unit members, we are conducting an in-depth epidemiological investigation in close cooperation with local governments, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and other related organizations, and will take necessary follow-up measures based on the results."