[Yang Nakgyu's Defence Club] Emergency for Korean Soldiers Returning from China and US Forces Korea in Pyeongtaek

On the 28th, as fear of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia' spreads, office workers are seen wearing masks on their way to work at the Sejongno intersection in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy, reporter Yang Nakgyu] With confirmation that around 100 military personnel have visited China, military authorities have declared an emergency. The military plans to immediately quarantine those who have visited China within their units and monitor their health throughout the incubation period of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia).

On the 28th, a military official stated, "Since the beginning of this month, about 100 service members have visited China-approximately 80 from the Army and about 10 each from the Navy and Air Force. Each branch is currently implementing quarantine measures."

The military is also investigating the possibility that some personnel may have visited China during the year-end holidays without prior notification to their units. The military has announced that if any personnel who visited China are confirmed to be infected with the novel coronavirus, special management measures will be implemented.

The United States Forces Korea (USFK) is also on high alert. After a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) was reported in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, where the USFK headquarters is located, USFK has urged its personnel to exercise caution.

On this day, USFK stated via Facebook, "There have been four confirmed cases in Korea, one of whom resides in Pyeongtaek," and added, "If you have symptoms, you must follow the guidelines." Previously, a 55-year-old man who had visited Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, was confirmed as a novel coronavirus patient after returning to Korea. This man visited a local clinic near his home in Pyeongtaek due to cold symptoms and was later transferred to Seoul National University Bundang Hospital for isolation.

USFK explained, "The new virus is a coronavirus that causes respiratory illnesses similar to the common cold," and added, "All confirmed cases in Korea have recently returned from China, and there have been no known cases of human-to-human transmission within Korea."

The Armed Forces Medical Command issued a directive to strengthen surveillance related to the outbreak of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, to all military units on the 6th, when the outbreak began. The Armed Forces Medical Research Institute has also established a relevant diagnostic system and is operating a state-designated isolation ward (with eight beds) at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital, while maintaining readiness to dispatch military epidemiological investigators. On the 23rd, the Medical Command secured 5,000 sets of personal protective equipment and about 20,000 N95 masks from the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's stockpile and distributed them to 13 military hospitals. Preparations for operating screening clinics, which are activated during the 'alert' stage of the infectious disease crisis warning, have also been completed.

Screening clinics are medical facilities separated from general areas and are designated for suspected cases of the novel pneumonia, treating patients with a fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius or higher. The Medical Command has also issued behavioral guidelines for service members, including: ▲ Always wearing masks and practicing hand hygiene ▲ Avoiding crowded public places and contact with unspecified foreigners when off base ▲ Reporting to duty officers and medical channels if experiencing fever or respiratory symptoms ▲ Avoiding contact with travelers from China since January 2020. Additionally, all units have been instructed to: ▲ Restrict travel and business trips to China for personnel ▲ Ensure compliance with personal hygiene rules before going off base ▲ Educate personnel to report any health abnormalities ▲ Control visitors and guests to military units.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.