"Loyalty" Thanks to You, the Airport Is Safe

Family of Sergeant Seo Gwang-seok (34), Special Forces Regiment, Capital Corps, Army

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] "Last month, I had planned to travel to Jeju Island with my family, but I am only sorry that I could not keep the promise due to support for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)."

Sergeant Seo Gwang-seok (34) of the Army Capital Corps Special Forces Battalion lost his father, who had been battling lung cancer, in June last year. His father had been fighting the illness for five years. The one who stayed by his father's side was his wife, Park Soon-young (33). Sergeant Seo prepared a trip to Jeju Island for his wife. However, as COVID-19 spread, he was dispatched to the Incheon Airport Quarantine Office from the 5th of last month, and ultimately could not keep the family travel promise.

On the other hand, he was able to give a meaningful gift to his family. Sergeant Seo was promoted to Staff Sergeant and held a promotion ceremony at Incheon Airport on the 28th of last month. Incheon Airport is also a special place for Sergeant Seo. Non-commissioned officers have three promotion ceremonies in total, and Sergeant Seo also had his promotion ceremony to Sergeant at Incheon Airport in November 2010. At that time, he was dispatched to Incheon Airport for two months due to the G20 Summit.

Sergeant Seo said, "I always feel sorry for my family, but my family is proud that I can answer the country's call when the nation is in difficulty," adding, "Every time I receive phone calls and text messages from my wife and 12-year-old daughter, it gives me great strength."

Major Kim Woo-gyun (44) of the Capital Corps Special Forces Battalion, who postponed his re-enlistment training and is performing the duty of situation room chief, also draws attention. He starts his day by meticulously cross-checking the flight schedules provided by Incheon International Airport Corporation and the deployment locations of quarantine support soldiers every dawn.

Major Kim said, "In two months, I will leave the military after 23 years and enter society, but I feel anxious because I cannot properly prepare for my career transition," adding, "However, I am rather grateful, thinking that this is the last opportunity to serve the people."

Private Park Jae-hyuk (22) of the 17th Division was dispatched as a Chinese interpreter. Park, who is studying at Tsinghua University in China, serves as an interpreter for medical staff during special quarantine and guides Chinese travelers on installing the self-diagnosis application. He said, "My family worries about my mission at the airport, but I am very proud to be able to dedicate myself to the country as a soldier carrying out my duties."

The Army Capital Corps formed the "Incheon International Airport Military Quarantine Support Unit" at the request of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and has been providing support since January 28. An average of about 250 personnel per day, totaling about 5,500, are performing quarantine support duties at Incheon International Airport in 24-hour three-shift rotations. So far, they have quarantined a total of about 400,000 arrivals, identified about 6,000 symptomatic individuals, and 4 confirmed cases.

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