'코로나 최전선' 투입 신임 간호장교 복귀…"감동과 희망 선사"

It has been 52 days since South Korea's hardest-hit city Daegu saw its first case of COVID-19.
Over the last two months, the city saw a daily peak of 741 new infections to zero today. Through the city's thick and thin... on the front lines battling the coronavirus are the nation's healthcare workers.
And, today, 75 of the nation's heroes who took a leading role in Daegu finished their duty.
Kim Sungmin reports.
From a peak of 741 confirmed cases in one day... right until the first day without a single case.
In the battle against COVID-19 in Daegu, 75 newly-commissioned nursing officers have been heroically fighting on the frontline.
And today, the 60th graduating class of the Korea Armed Forces Nursing Academy have successfully finished their five weeks of duty and returned home.
"It was such a huge pleasure to carry out this duty and be able to devote myself to the country and the military."
During the 5 weeks, the officers were assigned to Korea's Armed Forces Daegu Hospital to provide medical support... after the region saw a rapid spread of the virus.
It was unusual for the officers to be thrown into actual work right after graduation, but their efforts were applauded by the public.
Working day and night in three shifts, they took charge of dealing with mild cases, giving guidance to patients about taking medicine and keeping good hygiene.
After their duty ended, all the 75 officers tested negative for COVID-19 and will continue with the next step in their careers after two weeks of self-quarantine.
During the appreciation ceremony for the nurses on Thursday, Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo sent his gratitude through a video clip.
He said he is proud of them for answering the call and putting themselves on the frontline to fight the unprecedented threat of COVID-19.
While the 75 nursing officers have returned home, around 300 personnel from the army medical forces will stay at the hospital and carry on with their duties.
Kim Sung-min, Arirang News