Record of the First Deployed Unit That Failed to Complete Its Mission

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] The mass COVID-19 infections among overseas deployed troops were issues that the military authorities could have sufficiently anticipated and managed in advance. Even after witnessing mass infections on a U.S. aircraft carrier and a Japanese cruise ship, it is difficult to accept that the safety of about 300 soldiers aboard the Munmu the Great ship was neglected, which defies common sense.

Above all, the military authorities were aware of the COVID-19 vaccination status of each unit currently deployed overseas but took no action. Including the Munmu the Great ship in the African waters where the mass infection occurred, about 1,300 soldiers are deployed worldwide. Among them, the largest unit, the Dongmyeong Unit in Lebanon, has completed vaccination for 239 out of 264 soldiers. The Hanbit Unit in South Sudan, with 279 soldiers, has 223 vaccinated, and the Ark Unit in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has all 148 soldiers vaccinated. These units were deployed after the military began priority vaccinations in March, resulting in high vaccination rates. The remaining personnel refused vaccination themselves.

However, the fact that the 34th Cheonghae Unit (Munmu the Great ship), which set sail in early February with about 300 soldiers, had a 0% vaccination rate was already known to the military authorities. Nevertheless, due to a complacent judgment that infections could not occur onboard, no follow-up vaccination plan was made for them, which ultimately provided the opportunity for the mass infection.

The Cheonghae Unit conducts operations at sea for about 10 to 14 days, then enters a nearby port for 3 to 4 days for logistics loading and maintenance before setting sail again. It is presumed that the infection occurred during this process. If it was difficult to transport vaccines overseas, cooperation could have been sought from neighboring countries during port calls to administer vaccines. In the case of the Ark Unit deployed in the UAE, all 148 soldiers completed their second vaccine dose locally with UN cooperation. The Ministry of National Defense needs to explain why no measures were taken specifically for the 34th Cheonghae Unit, which had a 0% vaccination rate.

The 34th Cheonghae Unit’s own negligent response is also a problem. When the first symptomatic case appeared on the 2nd, only simple cold medicine was prescribed, and this was not reported to the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Given that even one confirmed case could put the entire unit at risk, the lack of vigilance is a painful issue. Kang Dae-sik, a member of the National Assembly’s Defense Committee (People Power Party), pointed out, "If the 34th Cheonghae Unit did not vaccinate before departure, they should have taken proactive measures such as seeking UN cooperation, and at least the minimal personnel who came into contact with locals during port calls for supplies should have completed vaccination."

Meanwhile, follow-up measures seem necessary for soldiers deployed without vaccination due to refusal. It is estimated that 98 soldiers among the Dongmyeong Unit, Hanbit Unit, Ark Unit, and individually deployed soldiers remain unvaccinated. Although many colleagues performing missions together are vaccinated, concerns about infection spread through unvaccinated individuals persist. Regarding this, the Ministry of National Defense stated, "Since vaccination cannot be forced, there are currently no plans to take special measures." The risk of infection spread remains. The Ministry of National Defense reiterated, "Since vaccination cannot be forced, there are currently no plans to take special measures."

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