"'Already Vaccinated' but Forced Vaccination... Are We Test Subjects? Army Soldier Appeals... Military Says 'Only Recommended'"

"Due to administrative error, leftover vaccines led to pressure on each squad... Soldiers were taken and forced to get vaccinated"

The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Allegations have been raised that a unit under the Army's 15th Division attempted to forcibly vaccinate soldiers with COVID-19 vaccines that were opened due to an administrative error. In response, the 15th Division stated, "We only recommended vaccination and did not force it."

On the 24th, a post titled "Forced COVID-19 Vaccination in a Unit under the 15th Division" was published on the Facebook page 'Delivering Army Training Center News on Behalf'.

A, who identified themselves as belonging to a unit under the 15th Division, said, "Not only for the first and second doses but even when investigating the third dose, all soldiers were vaccinated almost semi-forcibly without choice," adding, "They said they would ask about (vaccination) consent, but for soldiers who expressed refusal, they directly asked for reasons and only repeated that it was not allowed."

A also said, "On the day of vaccination, I heard that due to their administrative error, a few people could not get vaccinated," and "But suddenly, since the vaccines had already been opened, they went around each platoon pressuring to bring anyone to get vaccinated. They barely dragged a few people to get the shots. It was so absurd and infuriating."

Photo by Facebook page 'Yukgunhunsongso Daesin Jeonhaedeurimnida' capture.

Then A raised their voice, saying, "Are we some kind of test subjects?" and "Are we test subjects to uphold their honor?"

As the controversy grew, the 15th Division explained, "Vaccinations are being conducted according to the personal consent of the soldiers." The 15th Division added, "During this vaccination period, five soldiers who had not passed 90 days after their second dose were identified, and their vaccination schedules were adjusted accordingly. To prevent vaccine wastage, the schedule was adjusted only for those who consented among the volunteers, and vaccinations were administered. The unit will continue to respect soldiers' intentions, vaccinate accordingly, and ensure smooth communication so that the third dose vaccination proceeds without issues."