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| The image of the Yongsan US military base as viewed from the National Museum of Korea in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. 2020.12.11/News1 © News1 Reporter Jinhwan Kim |
It is reported on the 26th that the Ministry of Defense has begun consultations with relevant authorities such as the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on whether to vaccinate KATUSA soldiers assigned to the USFK to be vaccinated against the novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19).
It is reported that the USFK will receive the first supply of modder or Corona 19 vaccine from the U.S. Department of Defense the day before, and vaccination will begin next week.
Accordingly, there is a possibility that KATUSA soldiers assigned to and working with the USFK will also get the vaccine. It is known that the USFK will first inoculate medical staff at’Brian Allgood’ Hospital at Camp Humphreys Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, and 40 KATUSA Soldiers serving as mandatory administrative personnel at this hospital are expected to be vaccinated.
However, since modders or vaccines are not approved by the Korean authorities, separate discussions between the ROK and US military authorities will be required.
It seems that the Ministry of Defense is first consulting with relevant authorities such as the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on such matters.
In principle, the USFK side set a policy to vaccinate’all members of the USFK community’. However, neither the ROK-US military authorities explicitly state whether KATUSA Soldiers are vaccinated.
In accordance with the US Forces Korea Status Agreement (SOFA) between the US and the ROK, it is expected that the joint committee will determine the specific schedule and sequence related to KATUSA Soldier vaccination in the future. SOFA Article 26 (Health and Hygiene) states that “(Strategy) joint concerns on the management and prevention of diseases and coordination of other public health, medical, hygiene and veterinary services are resolved by the relevant authorities of the two governments at the Joint Committee.” It is prescribed.
For KATUSA Soldiers, personnel administration such as positions and promotions, transfers, vacations, military equipment, military laws, rewards and punishments is the ROK Military Support Group of the Army Personnel Command. Follow the rules.