All COVID-19 Cases in Cheonghae Unit Classified as 'Imported'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] COVID-19 confirmed cases returning from the 34th deployment of the Cheonghae Unit in Africa will be counted as 'imported cases.'

On the 18th, the Central Disease Control Headquarters (CDCH) classified the confirmed cases on the Munmu the Great ship as imported cases. Although the ship is considered Korean territory, it has long been outside the mainland's territorial waters. Currently, the embassy also regards it as domestic territory, but once the confirmed cases return home, they are recorded as imported cases.

The Munmu the Great ship is operating near African waters, and the cluster infection likely occurred internally on the ship. According to the PCR tests conducted on all approximately 300 crew members, the cumulative number of infected individuals has reached 68. Since only about one-third of the total have been tested, the number of confirmed cases may increase.

The initial infected person and infection route are under investigation. The military is dispatching two Air Force multipurpose aerial refueling transport aircraft (KC-330) this afternoon to bring back all soldiers of the Cheonghae Unit.

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