Military on High Alert Over Concerns of Large-Scale COVID-19 Outbreak

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] Concerns are rising over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) within the military. A confirmed COVID-19 case was reported at the Army Military Scholarship Student Selection Test site, where a large number of military personnel took exams nationwide on the 23rd, and starting next month, the Army will hold a musical performance for a month.

According to the Army on the 28th, A (19), a resident of Gimpo City who took the military additional service officer selection written exam held on the 23rd at Dongyang Mirae University building in Seoul, was confirmed positive for COVID-19. The military additional service system allows students to receive scholarships while enrolled in undergraduate studies, obtain a bachelor's degree, and serve additional military duty equivalent to the scholarship period during their mandatory service.

On the exam day, A completed a health questionnaire and had a temperature check (36.2°C) with no issues. However, it was revealed that A had worked part-time at the Coupang logistics center where a cluster infection occurred and was confirmed positive on the same day. A total of 20 people took the exam in the test room where A was present, and the total number of examinees was confirmed to be 550.

On the same day, the national technical qualification verification written exam was also held at 121 test centers nationwide. Approximately 37,700 military personnel took exams in 82 categories. By branch, about 22,700 in the Army, 4,500 in the Navy, 6,400 in the Air Force, and 3,800 in the Marine Corps. These soldiers have returned to their respective branches, and although no examinees have been confirmed positive for COVID-19 yet, the military is closely monitoring the infection status.

Additionally, the Army plans to perform the musical "Return" from next month to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Korean War. The performance, held from July 4 to July 12 at the Woori Financial Center in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, is expected to attract domestic and international fans as active-duty soldiers who are former popular idols will appear. The musical features EXO's D.O. (Do Kyung-soo) and Xiumin (Kim Min-seok), Wanna One's Yoon Ji-sung, FT Island's Lee Hong-gi, and Infinite's Lee Sung-yeol. Currently, about 25 overseas fans have booked tickets intending to enter the country to watch the performance. Among the approximately 26,000 domestic spectators, about 10,000 middle and high school student fans and EXO military personnel are included, raising concerns about COVID-19 infection.

On the 27th, a petition requesting the cancellation of the musical was also posted on the Blue House National Petition site. The petitioner expressed concerns, stating, "Overseas spectators purchase tickets through agents, making it difficult to respond to COVID-19 infections, and the ticket buyers and actual attendees differ, making it hard to secure a list." They also pointed out, "In early summer weather, if hundreds of people gather in a confined space, there is a high possibility of infection among elderly veterans and domestic middle and high school students."

In response, the Army stated, "Foreigners will be quarantined for two weeks after entry, and all spectators will be seated in a zigzag pattern with one seat apart." They added, "If government guidelines related to COVID-19 change, the performance may be suspended or postponed."

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