US Military: COVID-19 Rules Related to Kids

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Unfortunately, uniformity in rules related to kids and COVID-19 do not currently exist in South Korea. However, we hope the information included in this blog will help military families advocate for their needs.

***UPDATE: As of 02/2022 and the completion of contact tracing in South Korea, this information no longer applies. The information remains live as the documentation of a historical point in time.

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Possible Issue Regarding US Military Families, Kids, and COVID-19

US Military living in South Korea on as SOFA visa without Foreign Registration Cards (FRC) experience numerous inconveniences related to visiting businesses. Such issues may include inconveniences related to:

  1. Groups with unvaccinated children under 2 years
  2. Providing proof of vaccine for children
  3. Booster requirements for children
  4. Age of children requiring vaccination
  5. Family group size
  6. Traveling with children

Let’s talk about such issues, contributing factors to such issues, and possible solutions for such issues.

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The Administration of COVID-19 Policy in South Korea

There is no nationwide agreed-upon, detailed list of procedures related to COVID-19. South of Seoul recently published a blog article that provides insight into how Federal policy influences local procedures. You can read about this here. South of Seoul volunteers recommend reading the article since understanding how Korea functions may impact how you ask questions and where you source information related to your life in South Korea.

The TL;DR of the article is that each individual city and department within a city in South Korea has great freedom to interpret vague policies established by the Korean federal government agencies. Due to such freedom, procedures for enforcing COVID-19 policy may change by neighborhood, city, or region.

The local development of procedures means that detailed information regarding child-related COVID-19 rules can not be compiled as the list would require contacting every city in the entire country to learn their interpretation and processes. Additionally, each local government may choose to change procedures week-to-week or day-to-day based on local government resources or decisions.

Such lack of national clarity means offering guidance or information publically regarding child-related COVID-19 rules becomes complicated.

Disclaimer Due to Fluidity of Current COVID-19 Policy and Procedures

This article, compiled by South of Seoul volunteers, speaks to a moment in time-related to how COVID-19 policy related to kids may be interpreted by an administrative district. The information provided in this article comes from interviews with the KCDA, local agencies, and parents. South of Seoul does not speak on behalf of any government and all information included in this blog could be obsolete tomorrow.

If you have information that should be added to this blog article message us a blog@southofseoul.net

The national mandates related to group size say that a child who needs adult help (no specific age mentioned) are not included in the count of 4 people (interview with 1339). No age or details are written into this policy. Such vague language leaves the Korean national COVID-19 policy open to interpretation by local government offices. Ultimately local government offices create a local implementation of national laws which means practice may vary between locations within a small area.

What may be allowed in one town may not be allowed in the next town over. Since each local government office as the flexibility to decide the age of a child who needs assistance (and communicate that information to businesses) families may find different rules for group size-related and children under 2 years old.

In practical application, one can not assume that businesses have the same rules.

Providing Proof of Vaccine for Children

Parents must carry paper vaccinations for children. Children do not have access to apps linked to identity such as the COOV. US Military related families should carry a Form 49 for each vaccinated child and parent or guardian or attain FRC cards and proof of Korean registration of a foreign vaccination. US Military can get Form 49 from their command on base, or they can get a Confirmation of Vaccine certificate (which may look like Form 49) from their local Public Health Center (보건소).

Booster Requirements of Children

Children, like adults, should have boosters within 6months of their original vaccines in order for their vaccine certificate to remain valid. Form 49 must be updated once a COVID-19 Booster has been acquired. The national policy related to boosters begins in January of 2022 but may be enforced earlier based on the decision of local governments.

Vaccination Age Requirements for Children

As of December 2021, Korean children as low as 12 years old may choose to be vaccinated. Additionally, as of December 2021, children under the age of 17 do not require a vaccine. However, such a statement does not mean that unvaccinated kids are allowed to visit businesses. What it means is that local governments can create their own guidelines regarding children under the age of 17 and their vaccination status. In February of 2022, the required age for vaccination will be adjusted to 12 years old.

Due to the fact policy related to children under the age of 17 remains unclear and locally decided, clarity on the topic remains complicated. This means parents will simply have to visit a location and find out their rules. It is simply not possible to speak to the exact rules of each city or town. Sharing personal experiences may be the best way to stay informed in the international communities.

The situation can be simplified by applying for FRCs and having the foreign vaccinations of children registered. This will allow for easier access to businesses across South Korea. Learn more about applying for FRC cards. Learn more about registering foreign vaccines in South Korea.

During COVID-19 restrictions, group sizes for different types of businesses become regulated. The sizes of allowed groups may change from 4-10 people. The Korean government may change the size of groups allowed to gather in public places from week to week as COVID-19 related cases rise and fall. For example, the Korean government announcements will say that only 4 people may gather. For Korean families, such a government order does not cause extensive issues for the following reasons.

  1. Korean families are often 4 or less due to the low birthrate.
  2. Korean families have a family registry and carry their family registry paper to verify their relationship. (Available only to Koreans)
  3. Korean families can easily contact their ‘Gu’ office to learn specific rules related to families and groups in each area of Korea. (Detailed regulates handled by individual ‘Gu offices’.

However, many US families have large families which exceed the COVID-19 policy size limits for visiting businesses. Military families without FRC cards for each family member may not be allowed to visit a business as one group. Such an issue occurs due to the Korean government requiring either 1) legally recognized proof of family relationship (family registry which is available only to Koreans) and/or 2) proof of same address via the FRC to prove family relationship and address.

If large US Military families acquire FRC cards have both proof of family relationship and the same registered address which means they may be able to eat together in many cities. Keep in mind, all cities develop their own procedures related to COVID-19, and variations in COVID-19 related policies and procedures occur across the country.

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