COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN THE MILITARY

[Anchor Lead]

A COVID-19 outbreak has occurred in the military for the first time in more than two months. More than 30 service members at an army unit in Pocheon have tested positive, even though none of them took leave or went out. The military is trying the identify the cause of infections.

[Pkg]

This army unit in Pocheon is closed off. Nobody is moving around inside. There are no visitors, either. Three service members at this unit tested positive for Covid-19 on October 4. Further testing confirmed that three senior officers and 30 service members had also contracted the virus including one serviceman who had returned from his leave. So far there are 37 cases in the unit -- 15 percent of some 240 service members.

[Soundbite] MOON HONG-SHIK(MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE) : "The unit where COVID-19 cases occurred is restricting leaves of absence. All military units in Pocheon are restricting outings for their service members."

An epidemiological survey is currently underway with the cause of the infections still unknown. All infected service members have stayed in the unit since last month. The military says several civilians have visited the unit recently. But the possibility of their contact with the service members is low. One of the senior officers contracted the virus after visiting his home in Seoul late last month. But his family tested negative for COVID-19. Sources say one of the service members had coronavirus symptoms even before the officer visited Seoul.

[Soundbite] KWAK JIN(CENTRAL DISEASE CONTROL HEADQUARTERS) : "We have yet to identify the infection route."

This is a second Covid-19 outbreak in the military. The previous one occurred in July in military units in Pocheon and Yangju. The military has been thoroughly restricting outside contact for service members since February by minimizing visitations, leaves of absence and outings. Defense Minister Suh Wook convened an emergency meeting and instructed the military to inspect prevention guidelines for service members.