Capital Area Soldiers Face Strengthened Leave Restrictions Starting Today

As social distancing was adjusted to Level 1, military personnel's leave, which had been restricted to prevent the spread of COVID-19, was fully reinstated. On the 12th, at Seoul Station, a soldier is waiting in the lounge to use the TMO service. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Military Specialist Yang Nak-gyu]The Ministry of National Defense will raise the 'in-military distancing' to level 2 for all units in the metropolitan area from the 24th to the 7th of next month, in line with the elevation of social distancing to level 2 in the metropolitan area and other regions.

Accordingly, soldiers' leave in areas where level 2 distancing is applied may be restricted based on the judgment of on-site commanders, and outings will be controlled in principle. Outings are only allowed in safe areas under the commander's discretion. The Ministry of National Defense also decided to apply strengthened level 2 distancing guidelines to all officers nationwide, based on the assessment that infections are occurring frequently among officers who have frequent external contacts.

Officers are required to stay in their accommodations after work as a rule, and gatherings such as dinners or private meetings must be postponed or canceled. Outings are only permitted when necessary, such as for purchasing daily necessities or hospital visits.

Use of religious facilities within military premises will also be partially restricted. Religious facilities within the metropolitan area can only be used by soldiers stationed on base, and the number of people is limited to within 20% of the seating capacity. Use of civilian religious facilities outside the base is prohibited. Religious events led by civilian clergy are to be conducted under the judgment of the on-site commander.

Meanwhile, for units in Gangwon-do and Honam regions where level 1.5 distancing is applied, soldiers' leave will be implemented in compliance with quarantine rules, but leave for soldiers heading to areas with cluster infections may be recommended for postponement. Outings for soldiers in these regions can be conducted in compliance with quarantine rules. However, areas with a large number of confirmed cases may be controlled under the judgment of the on-site commander.

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