To Buy Masks, You Need a Family Register... Citizens Inconvenienced by 'Government24' Access Delays

On the 9th, a notification titled 'Government24 Service Delay Notice' appeared on the main page of the Government24 website, which handles various government civil complaint processing services. Photo by Government24 website screen capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the 'Mask 5-Day Rotation System' was first implemented on the 9th. As citizens rushed to obtain resident registration certificates to purchase masks on behalf of their children or others, access to the 'Government24' website was delayed, causing inconvenience to the public.

On this day, a notification titled 'Government24 Service Delay Notice' appeared on the main page of various government civil service websites, including Government24.

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety, which operates Government24, explained in the notice, "Please understand that the service is not running smoothly due to a sudden surge in usage," and added, "Resident registration certificates and abstracts can be issued through 'Minwon24'."

Citizens responded with criticism, saying, "They tell us to get the certificate, but the website is down," "Why don't they consider situations that will happen simultaneously when making countermeasures," and "When do we have to go from the community service center to the pharmacy?"

Meanwhile, under the Mask 5-Day Rotation System, from this day forward, each person can purchase two public masks per week.

Mask purchases are allowed on specific days based on the last digit of the birth year: Monday for 1 and 6, Tuesday for 2 and 7, Wednesday for 3 and 8, Thursday for 4 and 9, and Friday for 5 and 0. If masks cannot be purchased on weekdays, they can be bought on Saturday and Sunday.

Individuals must visit in person carrying an official ID such as a resident registration card, driver's license, or passport.

However, proxy purchase and receipt are allowed for children born after January 1, 2010, elderly people born before December 31, 1940, long-term care benefit recipients, and persons with disabilities. The recipient must present an ID and a resident registration certificate.