Military Personnel Resume Normal Leave Starting Today... Overnight Stays and Visits Remain Restricted

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 heading on leave at Seoul Station are seen heading toward the train. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter]The military leave for soldiers, which had been restricted to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), will be resumed normally starting from the 12th. It has been 54 days since leave restrictions began across all units on August 19.

The Ministry of National Defense announced this on the same day. Moon Hong-sik, the Ministry of National Defense spokesperson, stated at the regular briefing, “Following the government’s policy to ease 'social distancing' to Level 1, soldiers’ leave will be implemented normally from today,” adding, “Soldiers traveling to the metropolitan area will be thoroughly educated to comply with quarantine rules, and strict verification procedures will be enforced upon their return from leave.”

Going out is also allowed under the judgment of senior commanders in areas where no confirmed cases have been reported within 7 days. Religious activities are permitted face-to-face with up to 30% of seating capacity, and online worship services will be conducted concurrently. Overnight stays and visits will continue to be restricted, considering the occurrence of COVID-19 cases within the military and trends of community infection.

The Ministry of National Defense had applied Level 2 social distancing to the metropolitan and Busan areas, and due to the resurgence of COVID-19, expanded it to all units from August 19, restricting all soldiers’ leave. However, from the 14th of last month, leave for new recruits and soldiers who had not been able to go on long-term leave was allowed at the discretion of commanders, and from the 21st of the same month, going out was also permitted under commanders’ judgment only in areas without confirmed cases.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, no additional confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported within the military on this day. The cumulative number of confirmed cases in the military is 153, of which 113 have recovered.

According to health authorities’ standards, 251 people are in quarantine within the military, and according to the military’s own standards, 1,489 people are under preventive quarantine.

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