[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Despite the military implementing social distancing measures at level 2.5 due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) within the armed forces, it has been confirmed that Army officers held drinking gatherings and caused a traffic accident while driving under the influence. In a situation where the military's emergency measures continue, including blocking contact with outsiders to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there are criticisms that the discipline of Army officers has crossed the line.
According to military officials on the 4th, two sergeants belonging to the 7th Army Corps Air Assault Battalion held a gathering near their unit on the 30th of last month. After finishing the gathering, they called a designated driver and moved to the Gangnam area in Seocho-gu, Seoul, continuing their drinking until 3 a.m. They drove about 20 km while intoxicated to return to their unit and caused an accident by crashing into a pillar while passing through the Seongnam Tollgate IC. According to the police investigation, the two officers were driving under the influence with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.1%, which corresponds to license cancellation.
The 7th Army Corps stated that since it is under the jurisdiction of the Army Headquarters, they cannot comment on the incident. The Army also stated that since the police have not transferred the case details such as the accident circumstances, they have not yet been able to investigate the parties involved. A military official said, "We cannot hide our disappointment that military officers, who should set an example, drove under the influence while soldiers' outings, overnight stays, and leaves are restricted," adding, "Considering the spread of COVID-19, extraordinary measures are necessary."
The Ministry of National Defense raised the military's social distancing to level 2.5 from the 27th of last month, three days before the accident, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As COVID-19 cases increased within the military, officers were instructed to stay in their quarters after work, and gatherings and private meetings were postponed or canceled. In particular, it was emphasized that unit training should be conducted without contact with outsiders whenever possible.
Recently, after officers from Sangmudae, the largest Army military education and training facility located in Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, visited Seoul and became infected with COVID-19, the number of confirmed cases within the unit has significantly increased. According to the Ministry of National Defense, four additional military officers tested positive for COVID-19 on the 4th. The cumulative number of confirmed military officers is currently 82 in the Army, 15 in the Air Force, 4 in the Navy, and 4 in the Marine Corps.
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