Corporal of the Ministry of National Defense Cyber Command Confirmed Positive for COVID-19

On the 8th, citizens are passing in front of 'King Club' in Itaewon, Seoul, where a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) had visited. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu]An NCO belonging to the Cyber Command, a direct unit under the Ministry of National Defense, tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Corporal A was identified to have visited the Itaewon club where COVID-19 cases occurred on the night of the 1st and early morning of the 2nd. Although there was no face-to-face contact with confirmed cases, their movement paths overlapped.

The Ministry of National Defense announced on the 8th, "Corporal A, who belongs to the Support Company of the Cyber Command located in the annex building of the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, has tested positive," adding, "Currently, the military epidemiological investigation team and Yongsan Public Health Center are conducting a joint epidemiological investigation."

Corporal A showed symptoms on the 5th and visited a hospital on the 5th and 6th. It is reported that the hospital did not recommend a COVID-19 test. Corporal A also went to work on the 6th, when symptoms appeared. On the 7th, the military authorities were notified that Corporal A was classified as a contact of a confirmed case and conducted a test. On the morning of the 8th at 7:30 AM, the positive result was reported to the military authorities.

Corporal A works in a separate Support Company building, not in the Cyber Command building, but after visiting the club, entered the annex building once. The specific movement path is currently under investigation.

The military has instructed personnel working in the Cyber Command building to remain in place until the epidemiological investigation results are available. Personnel who have already come to work are effectively quarantined in the building, while those who have not come to work are waiting at home.

Additionally, visits to the Army Hall and the lodging facility, Defense Restel, which Corporal A visited, are being restricted. Defense Restel, a dormitory for single military officers, houses a significant number of officers from the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army, and Ministry of National Defense, raising the possibility of large-scale quarantine of key military personnel.

It was revealed that Corporal A visited the club despite social distancing guidelines that require staying at the lodging facility after work. This brings the cumulative number of confirmed cases within the military to 40. After three days of having zero confirmed COVID-19 cases under military management, new cases have emerged again.

The military's first confirmed case was reported on February 21, and after 74 days, on the 5th of this month, all patients had recovered, resulting in zero confirmed cases under management. The cumulative confirmed cases by branch are: Army 21, Navy 1, Marine Corps 2, Air Force 14, and Ministry of National Defense direct units 2.

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