[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu] It has been confirmed that Nam Young-shin, Chief of Staff of the Army, made a 'misstatement' to newly commissioned officers who were unable to go out and were undergoing training due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), sparking controversy.
According to military officials on the 4th, Nam Young-shin, Chief of Staff of the Army, visited the Army Sangmu Training Center in Jangseong, Jeollanam-do on the 21st of last month and observed the outdoor training of newly commissioned artillery officer trainees, then gave a lecture for about 10 minutes. At that time, the new officers were receiving training at the artillery school under the Sangmu Training Center as part of the junior officer command staff course, and it is known that about 200 people were assembled.
Normally, officers are allowed to go out or stay out on weekends, but at that time, they had been restricted from going out or staying out for nearly two months due to COVID-19 quarantine measures.
In response, General Nam also said to the officers, "I am sorry that you have not been able to go out or stay out since March," and added, "I will try to allow you to take a short leave before you graduate and go to your units in June."
The problematic remark came at the end. General Nam said, "Many of you lieutenants probably have girlfriends or boyfriends," and then added, "But while you are stuck here and cannot go out, your girlfriends or boyfriends are probably meeting someone else," before concluding his lecture.
Regarding this, General Nam admitted in an apology statement, "An 'inappropriate expression' using friends as an example was mentioned to soothe the stiff hearts of the new officers and to relieve tension." He continued, "I sincerely apologize once again for causing concern to the newly commissioned officers undergoing training on site and to the public."
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