County Holds Personal Leave Discussion with Soldiers in COVID-19 Self-Quarantine

On the 8th, when the military leave that had been restricted to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) was resumed normally, soldiers departing on leave were waiting for the train at Seoul Station. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]It has been confirmed that some soldiers who were self-quarantined for the prevention of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) had their regular leave deducted as personal vacation. This is a violation of the Ministry of National Defense guidelines.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of National Defense to Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the National Assembly's National Defense Committee from the People Power Party, a total of 164 soldiers?141 from the Army, and 9 each from the Navy and Air Force?had their self-quarantine periods for COVID-19 prevention counted as personal vacation.

However, earlier this year, the Ministry of National Defense issued the "COVID-19 Related Soldier Leave Guidelines" twice to frontline units, instructing that "soldiers who need self-quarantine due to suspected COVID-19 or who must care for confirmed family members should be granted official leave."

Official leave (Gonga, 공가) is leave granted officially when attendance is impossible due to official duties or natural disasters, and differs from personal vacation leave.

Representative Ha stated, "All soldiers use less than a month of personal vacation spread throughout their military service," and pointed out that "taking away soldiers' personal vacation by violating the Ministry of National Defense guidelines is a serious infringement of basic rights."

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