Two Locations Storing Over 40,000 Masks Referred for Prosecution
Strict Crackdown on Resale Using Macros and Other Acts
On the 28th, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection increases, a notice indicating the sold-out status of masks and thermometers is posted at a pharmacy in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] The police are accelerating investigations related to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), including forming a ‘COVID-19 Rapid Response Team’ to identify Shincheonji Church members whose whereabouts are unknown, and operating a special crackdown team to detect illegal activities related to masks such as hoarding and resale.
On the 28th, the National Police Agency announced that it would launch a special crackdown team to crack down on activities disrupting the mask distribution order. This measure aims to verify whether the supply volume from mask manufacturers and sellers is properly delivered to the public amid the ‘mask crisis’ caused by the spread of COVID-19.
The special crackdown team plans to focus on four major types of activities: ▲disrupting the mask distribution order ▲hoarding such as ‘mask stockpiling’ and violations of emergency supply adjustment measures ▲hoarding and resale of masks using macros (automated repetitive programs) ▲accumulating and reselling masks beyond the allowable purchase quantity. Hoarding masks violates the Price Stabilization Act, using macros constitutes obstruction of business, and resale activities may be punished for unjust profits.
The special crackdown team will be organized and operated across 18 provincial police agencies and 255 police stations nationwide. The police have identified 152 mask manufacturing sites (factories) nationwide and will form dedicated teams at the relevant police stations, while other police offices will operate dedicated teams depending on circumstances. Additionally, one cyber investigation team at the provincial police agencies will be designated as a special crackdown team to monitor and crack down on activities that disrupt distribution order, such as mass mask purchases using macro programs.
Furthermore, the special crackdown team will cooperate with the government-wide joint crackdown task force involving the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the National Tax Service, and the Fair Trade Commission to enhance the effectiveness of crackdowns and notify administrative measures such as fines for violations. Currently, 30 police investigators are dispatched to the government-wide joint crackdown task force on mask hoarding, and 152 police officers are dispatched to the emergency supply adjustment joint crackdown task force.
As of today, the police are investigating 12 cases related to mask hoarding, of which 2 cases have been sent to the prosecution with a recommendation for indictment. The Daejeon Police Agency arrested the head of a sales company who stored about 40,000 masks for more than five days, and the Gyeonggi Nambu Police Agency also caught the head of a company storing 45,000 masks. The Seoul Police Agency is investigating a seller suspected of selling 17,000 masks without reporting sales to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
In addition, regarding mask sales fraud, 15 provincial police agencies and police stations have been designated as responsible investigative offices for 259 cases currently under investigation. A National Police Agency official stated, “We will strictly prosecute those who take unfair personal gains by exploiting the national crisis situation,” and urged “active reporting of illegal activities and mature civic awareness.”
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