In Gangneung, Gangwon Province, criticism has arisen as cases of donated bottled water being resold on secondhand trading platforms have been repeatedly discovered during the region's worst drought.
Officials from the city distributing donated bottled water at the Gangneung Arena parking lot. Photo by Yonhap News
Until last month, the Gangneung city government distributed bottled water to all citizens on two separate occasions. At that time, apartment residents received three packages of six 2-liter bottles per person, while other citizens received two packages each. The same bottled water was distributed in full during the first round as well. Large quantities of bottled water were also provided to social welfare facilities, hospitals, foreign workers and university students, small business owners, and households with infants and young children.
However, after heavy rainfall in mid-September alleviated the drought and the state of disaster was lifted, some citizens began selling what appeared to be donated bottled water online. On secondhand trading platforms, numerous posts have appeared offering "2-liter bundles for 2,000 to 3,600 won," among other prices.
Some sellers claimed the water was "purchased in advance as a precaution," but most of the items are believed to be donated goods. This has drawn criticism, as reselling relief supplies intended to help overcome a disaster for personal profit is considered inappropriate.
In contrast, many posts have also appeared on the same secondhand trading platforms from people saying they are "giving away bottled water received from the city because they do not need it." These giveaway posts have received an enthusiastic response, with dozens of inquiries quickly leading to the items being claimed.
Currently, the Gangneung city government is continuing to distribute the remaining donated bottled water sequentially to small business owners and others at the Gangneung Arena parking lot.
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