[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Six confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported on a naval vessel carrying about 300 troops that has been on an overseas mission for six months. Given that the confirmed cases have been living with their comrades in confined spaces, there is a high possibility of large-scale transmission.
The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 15th that six crew members of the Cheonghae Unit 34th Munmu the Great ship, which was carrying out a mission in a certain overseas region, tested positive. The military plans to conduct tests on all crew members.
The Munmu the Great ship, which departed Korea in February and has been moving through various overseas locations, carries about 300 personnel, including crew members and aviation unit soldiers. The military has isolated the six confirmed cases and those showing symptoms in separate facilities on the ship. Due to the nature of the mission, it is highly likely that most of the six confirmed cases had contact with other crew members in confined spaces. If additional confirmed cases emerge, the military is also considering deploying transport aircraft to bring them back to Korea.
The military is investigating whether the infection originated from an officer involved in loading military supplies at a local port. Additionally, since the Cheonghae Unit has conducted joint operations with foreign militaries, this could also be a possible infection route. It has been reported that the crew members of the Munmu the Great ship have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.
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