At the FedEx cargo terminal at Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 25th, officials are transferring the US Department of Defense’s Corona 19 vaccine for US forces in Korea to a vehicle. yunhap news
It is reported that the Ministry of Defense is in consultation with relevant authorities such as the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on whether to vaccinate KATUSA Soldiers assigned to the USFK.
On the 26th, an official from the Ministry of Defense said, “We are discussing with the relevant authorities regarding KATUSA Soldier vaccination.”
Earlier, on the 25th, the USFK received the first supply of modder or Corona 19 vaccine from the US Department of Defense. As early as next week, the medical staff and support staff at’Brian Allgood’ Hospital at Camp Humphreys, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, are scheduled to start vaccinating.
Accordingly, there is a possibility that about 40 KATUSA Soldiers who are serving in the military as compulsory administrative personnel at this hospital will also be included in this vaccination target.
However, since modder or Corona 19 vaccines have not been approved by the Korean government, the government’s approval and the consent of the parties are required for the vaccination of Korean people, including KATUSA Soldiers.
It is reported that the USFK has recently inquired about the KATUSA Soldier status with the Korean side.
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 has set a policy of’vaccinating 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 affairs shall be resolved by the relevant authorities of the two governments at the Joint Committee’. It is prescribed.
The Korean KATUSA Soldier assigned to the USFK is the only system in the world that has continued for 70 years since recruiting the first recruits two months after the outbreak of the Korean War. The labor cost of KATUSA Soldiers who help USFK soldiers perform their duties is about 10 billion won per year, which is covered by the Korean defense budget.
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.
KATUSA Soldiers carry out their duties in various classes, including infantry, artillery, armor, engineer, communications, supply, administration, and military police. Currently, about 3,400 KATUSA Soldiers are working in the US military unit.
Reporter Lee Ji-young [email protected]