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US forces deliver Korea’s first vehicle-delivered coronavirus vaccine▶ Click here to enlarge
It has been confirmed that the Ministry of Defense is in consultation with relevant authorities such as the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the issue of receiving the vaccine for the new coronavirus infection (Corona 19) from the United States Forces in Korea. , for the Korean army ‘KATUSA’ working in the US military unit.
Consequently, it is worth noting whether Koreans who are vaccinating corona19 vaccine for the first time on Korean soil will emerge among KATUSA soldiers.
An official from the Defense Ministry said on the 26th that “we are in talks with the relevant authorities about the vaccination of soldier KATUSA.”
The USFK, which received the first supply of Moder or Corona 19 vaccine from the US Department of Defense the day before, plans to begin vaccinating medical personnel and support personnel at the ‘Brian All Good’ Hospital in Camp Humphreys, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, starting next week.
There is a possibility that some 40 KATUSA soldiers who are serving in the army as mandatory administrative personnel at this hospital will also be included in this vaccination goal.
However, since modder or Corona 19 vaccines have not been approved by the Korean government, government approval and consent of the parties is required for vaccinating Koreans, including KATUSA soldiers.
The USFK is reported to have recently inquired about KATUSA’s soldier status with the Korean side.
A Defense Ministry official added: “There is no official request from the Defense Department (USFK side) yet.”
KATUSA Senior SoldierIt is noted that both inside and outside the military should be included in the USFK vaccination due to the conditions of KATUSA soldiers working closely with the US military.
The KATUSA Soldiers of the Korean Army, assigned to the USFK, are the only system in the world that has continued for 70 years since the first recruits were recruited two months after the outbreak of the Korean War. The labor cost of KATUSA soldiers helping USFK soldiers perform their duties is around 10 billion won per year, which is covered by South Korea’s defense budget.
As a member of the ROK Army, the administration of personnel such as posts, promotions, transfers, vacations, military flags, military laws, rewards and punishments, is handled by the ROK Military Support Group under the Command of Human Resources of the Army.
However, the US military is in charge of operational control, meals, clothing, equipment, and daily supply support for KATUSA soldiers, and general internal affairs, departures, and permanence. They are also subject to US military regulations.
KATUSA soldiers serve in various classes, including infantry, artillery, armor, engineers, communications, supplies, administration, and military police. Currently, more than 3,400 KATUSA soldiers are working in the US military unit.
13,895 people applied for the selection of 1,590 enlisted KATUSA soldiers next year, showing a proficiency rate of 8.7-1.
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