[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] Tentative Decision to Skip Cobra Training

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] Military authorities have tentatively decided not to participate in the multinational Cobra Gold exercise held in Thailand from the 25th of this month.

On the 12th, the Navy stated, "This year, no ships or Marine Corps personnel will participate in the Cobra Gold exercise, and only commanders and staff members for the 'command post exercise' will tentatively participate. A final decision will be made before departure considering the trend of the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia)."

The exercise is scheduled to be held from the 25th of this month to the 6th of next month off the coast of Hat Yao, Thailand. The military planned to embark troops and equipment on one landing ship (LST) and set sail around the 15th. The Marine Corps planned to send battalion-level forces including naval assets such as ships and eight amphibious assault vehicles to this exercise.

The Cobra Gold exercise has been held annually since 1982, led by the U.S. Pacific Command (now Indo-Pacific Command) and the Royal Thai Armed Forces, with the Republic of Korea Marine Corps participating since 2010.

As of the 7th, Thailand has the third highest number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases worldwide, totaling 25. Neighboring Singapore has 30 cases. The Air Force has already decided not to participate in the 'Singapore Airshow 2020' held from the 11th to the 16th.

The military's consideration of non-participation in the Cobra Gold exercise is based on the trend of the novel coronavirus spreading to Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, and concerns about potential problems in the ventilation systems of ships where many personnel must live together in confined spaces for several weeks. The ventilation systems installed on naval vessels include multiple air conditioners that circulate air to various compartments using fans, but as a result, the air inside the ship circulates through multiple compartments, increasing the risk of widespread infection if a confirmed case occurs. China is also only participating in civil operations during this year's Cobra Gold exercise.

There are also indications that the outbreak of dozens of novel coronavirus infections on the cruise ship 'Diamond Princess,' docked at Yokohama Port, Japan, is related to the ship's ventilation system. Foreign media have even called cruises "floating petri dishes."

If a suspected case occurs locally in Thailand, the individual must be isolated either in Thai medical facilities or on a Korean naval ship, but the medical facilities on naval ships are limited in confirming novel coronavirus infection. The situation could be different if a modern hospital ship accompanied the fleet, but the military does not have a hospital ship.

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