President Moon: "Difficult to avoid criticism that the Cheonghae Unit's response was complacent"

Criticism Accepted on COVID-19 Cluster Infection in Cheonghae Unit... "Need to Reexamine Other Overseas Deployed Military Units"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in stated on the 20th regarding the Cheonghae Unit issue, where a COVID-19 cluster infection occurred, "Our military responded in its own way, but it is difficult to avoid criticism from the public that the response was insufficient and complacent."

On the morning of the same day, President Moon presided over a Cabinet meeting at the Blue House and said, "I hope we humbly accept the criticism, thoroughly carry out measures such as treatment, and review other overseas deployed military units once again."

All personnel of the 34th Cheonghae Unit aboard the Munmu the Great ship are scheduled to arrive at Seoul Airport in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, in the afternoon via the Air Force's multipurpose aerial refueling transport aircraft (KC-330). Among the 301 crew members, 247 (82.1%) tested positive, and there is a possibility of additional confirmed cases.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon instructed, "Please do your best so that the unit members receive thorough treatment and recover quickly," and added, "I hope you also review other overseas deployed military units and devise safety measures for citizens in blind spots of vaccination, such as those stationed at our diplomatic missions."

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum expressed at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on the same day, "I am sorry for not carefully managing the health of our soldiers who dedicate themselves to the country." Minister of National Defense Seo Wook also issued an official apology regarding issues such as the initial inadequate response.

Meanwhile, the opposition party demanded the dismissal of the Minister of National Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, along with a public apology from President Moon regarding this cluster infection incident. Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the party's strategy meeting, "The president should formally apologize to the public for the total failure of quarantine."

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