Army KTCT Training... Removing Masks as a Heatwave Countermeasure

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]As heatwaves rage nationwide, the Ministry of National Defense has allowed each military branch to adjust or cancel operations and training.

On the 29th, the Ministry of National Defense announced that it had delivered the "Ministry of National Defense Response Guidelines for Heatwaves" containing these details to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, each military branch, and all directly controlled units and agencies under the Ministry of National Defense.

Units at all levels have been instructed to avoid activities during daytime hours when heat-related illnesses are concentrated and to flexibly adjust schedules by utilizing early morning and nighttime hours. Operations, training, and unit activities can be adjusted or canceled after safety evaluations before execution, and even during execution, adjustments should be made boldly in real-time considering the on-site temperature.

Additionally, the Ministry of National Defense added that measures to prevent heat-related damage during outdoor activities, emergency treatment, and evacuation plans should be prepared in advance, and soldiers’ health conditions should be checked at least every two hours to enable preventive actions. This is a proactive measure to ensure stable unit activities for soldiers in response to the heatwave, and outdoor activities including training across all military branches are expected to decrease or be postponed.

Following the Ministry of National Defense’s guidelines, the Army decided not to conduct training from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the Science Combat Training (KCTC) held in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, with about 3,000 soldiers participating, from today until the 1st of next month.

An Army official said, "During outdoor maneuver training, masks are not worn to prevent heat-related accidents," and added, "From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., operations are suspended to provide combat rest, and schedules are being boldly adjusted and implemented."