MFDS "Mask Supply Target to Japan: 5 Million Units"

On the 28th, as the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection increases, a notice informing the sold-out status of masks and thermometers is posted at a pharmacy in Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced on the 28th that a total of 5.01 million masks will be supplied nationwide through post offices, Nonghyup Hanaro Mart, and Public Home Shopping. A special supply of 1.045 million masks will be provided to Daegu and Gyeongbuk (Cheongdo), designated as special management areas for infectious diseases.

At a briefing in the afternoon, Deputy Director Yang Jin-young of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety stated, "We have set a daily supply target of 5 million masks, considering sales locations, regions, and places, to ensure masks are supplied to special infectious disease management areas, medical and quarantine sites, and the general public. We have established a distribution plan by sales channel."

The daily supply targets are 1 million masks for the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, 500,000 for post offices, 500,000 for Nonghyup Hanaro Mart, 100,000 for Public Home Shopping and the Small and Medium Business Distribution Center, 2.4 million for pharmacies, and 500,000 for medical institutions.

The sales channels include approximately 24,000 pharmacies nationwide, about 1,900 Nonghyup Hanaro Marts excluding Seoul and Gyeonggi, 1,400 post offices located in towns and townships, Public Home Shopping, and the Small and Medium Business Distribution Center. Sales hours may vary depending on the region and location.

Deputy Director Yang explained, "To enable all citizens to conveniently purchase masks, we have dispatched staff to about 130 mask manufacturers to monitor distribution daily and encourage production. We are mobilizing all resources to secure the maximum amount of public sales volume."

Regarding illegal activities such as hoarding, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Fair Trade Commission, the National Tax Service, the Customs Service, the National Police Agency, and local governments are conducting joint government crackdowns. Deputy Director Yang emphasized, "If illegal activities are detected, they will be strictly punished."