794 Mandatory and Veterinary Officers Commissioned... 'Third-Generation Military Doctor' Draws Attention

Captain Noh Kyung-hoon, Army

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu Reporter] The Armed Forces Medical Command announced on the 24th that it will hold the commissioning ceremony for the 50th Medical Officer Class and the 17th Veterinary Officer Class at the Armed Forces Medical School in Daejeon.

At the commissioning ceremony presided over by Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, a total of 794 new medical officers will be commissioned, including 674 military doctors, 74 dental doctors, 10 Korean medicine doctors, and 36 veterinary officers. Medical officers, known as military doctors, provide medical care to soldiers at frontline units and military hospitals, while veterinary officers perform duties such as managing military animals, food inspection, and quarantine. Among the newly commissioned medical officers, 96 volunteered and served as COVID-19 medical support personnel from the 11th to the 31st of last month.

Minister Jeong presented encouragement cards and commemorative gifts (wristwatches) to the 96 personnel on the 20th of last month.

Among the new officers, there are notable figures such as 'military doctor families' and descendants of Korean War veterans. Army Captain Noh Kyung-hoon (pictured) is serving as a military doctor for the third generation, following his grandfather who served as an Army military doctor during the Korean War and his father who retired as a Navy military doctor. Navy Captain Ham Jeong-ho retired as a Navy military doctor, and his grandfather is Reserve Lieutenant General Ham Myung-soo, the 7th Chief of Naval Operations. Army Captain Heo Young-woo and Navy Captain Kwon Soon-hwan are brothers serving as military doctors in the Army and Air Force, respectively. Air Force Captain Jeon Gwang-soo's grandfather participated in the Korean War and was awarded a military merit medal for his service in the Battle of Baengma-goji. Additionally, 29 descendants of Korean War veterans are being commissioned. Army Captain Son Joo-wan and First Lieutenant Lim Dong-hwan will receive the Minister of National Defense Award, while Army Captain Park Kyung-rin and 12 others will receive the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Award and various service chiefs' awards.

The commissioning ceremony will be held without family members or external guests attending as a preventive measure against COVID-19. Families can watch the live broadcast via the Defense TV YouTube channel and the Defense Media Agency Facebook page.

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