[Yang Nak-gyu's Defence Club] If COVID-19 Alert Level in Military Rises to Level 3

As social distancing was adjusted to Level 1, military personnel's leave, which had been restricted to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection, was fully implemented on the 12th. Military personnel are seen moving at Seoul Station. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] As the government considers raising the 'social distancing' to level 3, the military authorities are also maintaining their vigilance. This is because if the military raises the 'in-military distancing' to level 3 according to government guidelines, there will likely be changes to schedules such as cold weather training.

On the 17th, a military official stated, "If the government decides on social distancing level 3 guidelines to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the military also plans to strengthen its guidelines."

The Ministry of National Defense decided to extend the 'in-military distancing level 2.5,' which has been in effect since the 26th of last month, until the 28th. However, if government guidelines are strengthened, the military will also upgrade its 'distancing' guidelines to level 3. If upgraded to level 3, all current field training will be replaced with garrison training where contact with civilians is impossible.

Also, the authority to control all soldiers' leave and outings will change from the regiment commander level (colonel) to the general officer level. This means control will inevitably be strengthened. Until now, the military has required personnel outside the metropolitan area to undergo preventive observation for two weeks after returning from leave and, if necessary, diagnostic testing at military hospitals. Soldiers whose leave destinations are in the metropolitan area were also recommended to undergo diagnostic testing at temporary screening clinics before returning from leave. Additionally, after returning from leave, separate spaces were designated for preventive quarantine or preventive observation. Officers are prohibited from continuing private gatherings and dinners.

However, COVID-19 cases within the military continue to rise steadily. Three new confirmed cases were added in the military yesterday. Among them, one is a soldier from an Army unit located in Paju, Gyeonggi-do, where 14 soldiers were confirmed in a cluster the previous day. The unit's cumulative confirmed cases reached 15. The other two are officers from a Marine Corps unit in Gimpo. The first confirmed case was diagnosed positive after a family member was confirmed, and subsequently, an officer classified as a contact during the full inspection was additionally confirmed. The unit is still conducting full testing on about 300 personnel. This brings the cumulative confirmed cases in the military to 472. Among them, 394 have recovered, and 78 are under treatment.

The U.S. Forces Korea also decided yesterday to elevate health measures by controlling movement and gatherings at all U.S. military bases in Korea starting from 0:00 on the 19th. They raised the Public Health Protection Condition (HPCON) level to 'Charlie.' HPCON is divided into four levels based on risk: 'Alpha' (A) for peacetime, 'Bravo' (B), 'Charlie' (C), and 'Delta' (D). Charlie is the second-highest level. Following the elevation of HPCON to Charlie for U.S. military bases in the Seoul metropolitan area, including Seoul, on the 11th, the U.S. Forces Korea decided to extend this measure to all bases in Korea. At the Charlie level, gatherings and movement are strictly controlled. All personnel except essential staff are switched to telework.

The U.S. Forces Korea urged, "Outside the bases, all laws and regulations of Korean authorities must be strictly observed," and strongly recommended "all individuals to refrain from movement within South Korea as much as possible."

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