US soldiers in South Korea caught sneaking through hole in fence to visit bars during pandemic

US Army service members punished as South Korea begins to 'reopen' and relax quarantine measures

Three US Army soldiers stationed in South Korea were docked pay and moved to a lower rank after they were reportedly caught sneaking off base to visit a nearby bar before returning "through a hole in the installation's fence" during the coronavirus pandemic.

The soldiers stationed at Camp Humphreys were demoted to the rank of private, lost $866 per month for two months, and were placed under other restrictions for up to 45 days

"Doing the wrong thing has serious consequences," according to a statement from the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. "Don't risk everyone's safety and our ability to complete our mission because you can't follow orders."

The punishments were announced on social media "to ensure our soldiers, civilians, contract employees and their families understand the ramifications of not following the commander's directives" during the pandemic.

US forces in South Korea are under strict orders during the Covid-19 outbreak, though it's unclear whether the virus has significantly impacted bases in the country following orders from the Department of Defence to limit the release of information about transmission among the ranks. Last week, officials reported that only two active duty service members on the Korean peninsula have tested positive.

As of this week, more than 3,700 members of the US military have tested positive for the virus, including at least two troops who died.

Praised for its response to the public health crisis, South Korea has confirmed 10,708 cases since the onset of the outbreak and has reported several days of single-digit growth in its death toll. Roughly 240 people have died. On Friday, the country did not report any deaths for the first time a month.

South Korea officials unveiled new guidelines this week for "everyday life quarantine" as the country begins to emerge from the public health crisis.

Officials are recommending some stringent social distancing guidelines remain place, including urging residents to wear masks in public, limit travel and visits to restaurants and bars, and maintain physical distancing among groups of people.