Switch from Long-Distance Marching to On-Base Marching for Military Personnel

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] Due to the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), the military has decided to minimize contact with civilians during winter training.

On the 6th, a military official stated, "Each unit is refraining from large-scale or long-distance march training as much as possible and is conducting limited training near their garrisons."

The military is reportedly shifting from the previous method of marching dozens of kilometers during the day carrying a full combat load of 20 kg to conducting these marches at night to avoid contact with residents. The Army Training Center conducts full combat load marches within the base during winter. The recruit training march distance is 20 km.

The Marine Corps also conducts full combat load (20 kg) marches at the recruit training center. The 'Cheonjabong March,' which covers 38 km, is carried out using military tactical roads to avoid residential areas. Marines frequently conduct march training as they also need to develop special mission capabilities such as reconnaissance and scouting.

A Marine Corps official said, "Regardless of the novel coronavirus, we have directed soldiers to use tactical roads such as mountain paths for their safety."

The Ministry of National Defense has not banned march training at all levels of units following the novel coronavirus outbreak. The decision is left to the judgment of each unit commander.

At a regular briefing that day, Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Choi Hyun-soo responded to the question, "Are winter training marches being conducted?" by saying, "It depends on the judgment of each unit commander, but they are refraining from marches involving contact with civilians."

The military is conducting soldier leave as usual.

Spokesperson Choi explained, "Currently, there are no restrictions on leave. However, visits, overnight stays, and outings are restricted in areas where patients have been reported."

No confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus have appeared in the military. A naval civilian employee who was quarantined after contact with the 17th confirmed case of the novel coronavirus tested negative. Six office colleagues who had contact with this civilian employee also self-quarantined, but no special symptoms have been reported so far.

The number of soldiers quarantined by the military as a preventive measure has decreased slightly from about 960 to about 920.

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