S.Korean military to ease social distancing rules, offer booster shots

South Korea's military plans to ease its social distancing restrictions, including curbs on off-base trips, in phases and administer booster shots for all service members by early next year, the Defence Ministry said on Friday.

Defence Minister Suh Wook finalised the plan at a video-linked meeting with top military commanders, as the government plans to enforce eased anti-Covid rules starting next month for a gradual return to normal life, reports Yonhap News Agency.

Set to take effect from Monday, the military's plan includes allowing troops to travel outside their bases on weekdays and enabling group training and educational activities currently restricted under quarantine rules.

Troops will be allowed to meet visitors regardless of their vaccination status as long as the visitors are fully vaccinated or present proof of a negative Covid-19 test within the past 48 hours, while mask mandates remain intact.


The military also plans to first administer booster shots to some 3,000 medical workers at military hospitals next month and then to 500,000 other service members between January and February, the Ministry said.

"The Defence Ministry will make best efforts to maintain a firm, unwavering combat readiness posture by thoroughly managing the Covid-19 quarantine while guaranteeing soldiers' basic rights," it added.

The government plans to ease or lift a wide array of regulations starting next week under the "living with Covid-19" scheme, as more than 70 per cent of the population has been fully vaccinated - IANS