Soldiers Can Take Petition Leave for More Than 30 Days During Long-Term Treatment

A COVID-19 cluster infection occurred in a military unit, resulting in 46 confirmed cases over two days. Most of these are breakthrough infections, occurring despite individuals having completed their second vaccine dose more than two weeks prior. According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 3rd, after the first confirmed case was reported on the 1st at an army unit in Yeoncheon, a total of 46 people tested positive for COVID-19 by the afternoon of the following day. Among them, 41, including the initial confirmed case, are breakthrough infections, accounting for 89.1% of the total. The photo shows soldiers moving at Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 4th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The maximum period for soldiers' petition leave, which varied according to military regulations, has been unified to '30 days per year.' However, in cases where long-term hospitalization is unavoidable, petition leave can be used for more than 30 days.

According to military officials on the 9th, the Ministry of Legislation is currently reviewing the legislative bill for the partial amendment of the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Status and Service of Soldiers, which includes revisions related to petition leave. It is expected to be implemented as early as next month after approval by the State Council and promulgation.

Until now, the period of petition leave varied according to internal military regulations, causing confusion. The Enforcement Decree of the Basic Act stipulated that petition leave for hospitalization purposes was 30 days, but the Enforcement Rules of the Military Personnel Act specified 20 days. In particular, although there was a regulation allowing additional hospitalization for military officers receiving care at medical institutions under the National Health Insurance Act, there was no separate regulation for ordinary soldiers.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of National Defense is considering a plan to allow petition leave, which has so far been limited to 'hospitalization,' to be used for outpatient treatment and examinations as well, in parallel with the amendment of the enforcement decree.