[Report] "Still No Masks?" First Day of Droplet-Blocking Mask Sales at Convenience Stores... Shortage Occurs

Supply of Droplet-Blocking Masks to Convenience Stores Nationwide from the 1st
On Site, "No Masks" "Don't Know When They'll Be Restocked" Causes Frustration
Citizens Complain, "Visited Many Places but None Available..."

On the morning of the 1st, KF masks excluding droplet-blocking masks are displayed on a convenience store shelf in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Min Jun-young, intern reporter mjy7051@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Min Jun-young] "Do you have droplet masks?", "Sorry, they are all sold out."

Thin and breathable KF-AD droplet blocking masks began to be sold simultaneously at convenience stores nationwide on the 1st, but they were practically out of stock. On the morning of the day, Asia Economy reporters visited more than ten convenience stores in the Jung-gu area of Seoul, but could not find any droplet blocking masks.

The mask supply itself varied by company and branch, and the quantity was small, causing this situation. Store owners were embarrassed by the influx of customers looking for droplet masks, and citizens expressed dissatisfaction after making fruitless trips. It was essentially a shortage on the first day of droplet mask sales.

Store owner A (72), met at a convenience store in Jung-gu, said, "I saw the news that droplet blocking masks would be sold at convenience stores starting today, but none have arrived at all," and explained, "I called the head office to ask when the masks would come in, but they only said they didn’t know exactly."

The owner said, "Regular customers came to buy masks after hearing the news and kept asking, 'Where are the masks?'" and added, "We want to sell them at a low price and guide customers quickly, but the situation doesn’t allow it," showing frustration.

Instead of the droplet masks expected to arrive that day, the convenience store’s daily necessities shelf displayed previously stocked KF masks. These masks had arrived last month before prices dropped and were being sold for around 2,000 won each.

KF masks and dental masks are displayed at the entrance of a convenience store in Jung-gu, Seoul. The droplet-blocking masks scheduled to arrive on the same day were not seen here either. Photo by Min Jun-young, intern reporter mjy7051@asiae.co.kr

Other convenience stores in the Jung-gu area also faced difficulties in mask supply on the same day.

Store owner B, in his 40s, operating a convenience store near Euljiro 3-ga, said, "Goods arrived this morning, but there were no masks," and explained, "I heard droplet blocking masks would be stocked starting today, but the schedule is uncertain. The head office can’t give a definite answer, so I think other places are in a similar situation."

He continued, "There are still some previously stocked masks left and being sold, but since the price is 2,000 to 3,000 won per mask, customers are reluctant to buy them," and sighed, "We really hope the affordable droplet masks arrive soon so customers will buy more."

Another nearby convenience store owner C (58) said, "The head office announced that sales would start first at convenience stores inside subway stations," and explained, "We ordered masks today, but if all goes well, we might receive supply by Saturday, or otherwise around next week."

Regarding customers visiting the convenience store, he said, "Even from the morning, office workers came to buy masks, but there was no stock at all, so I felt sorry having to explain one by one," and added, "Some customers, in urgent need, bought masks that were a bit more expensive."

As droplet masks were practically out of stock and the number of masks arriving at stores was small, signs of purchase restrictions were emerging.

Another convenience store owner D (56) said, "No masks arrived today, and I was informed that they will come tomorrow," and added, "Even if they arrive tomorrow, only three masks per store will come, so the supply situation is not good. Contrary to news reports, there is no unlimited purchase per person."

He continued, "If only three masks arrive per store, effectively only one person can buy them," and explained, "Customers may have to compete by coming early in the morning to buy the affordable droplet masks, so it’s practically the same as having purchase restrictions."

KF masks are displayed on a convenience store shelf in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Min Jun-young, intern reporter mjy7051@asiae.co.kr

Given this situation, citizens who visited convenience stores looking for masks also expressed inconvenience.

Citizen E (68), who visited a convenience store, said, "I came because I heard they were selling breathable masks cheaply at convenience stores, but they said there were none," and added, "They were only selling the masks that had been supplied before. If this continues, I’ll have no choice but to go to a pharmacy to buy public masks."

He continued, "Being older and with the hot weather, it’s hard to breathe, so I came with expectations, but it seems they are not ready yet," and added, "I’ll try to avoid outdoor activities as much as possible and come back next week."

University student F (24) also said, "I went around three nearby stores, but they only said they didn’t know when masks would arrive, which was frustrating," and added, "I was going to leave, but since I had no mask to use immediately, I had no choice but to buy the existing KF masks," expressing regret.

Meanwhile, regarding the droplet mask shortage, companies such as Wellkips, Geonyeong Cleantec, Finetek, and KM have received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to sell mask products as quasi-drugs, so the shortage is expected to be resolved soon.