"Don't Trust Chinese Products"... Chinese People Snatch Up Masks in Korea

On the 29th, amid growing concerns over the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia), Chinese tourists are lining up to buy masks at a pharmacy on Myeongdong Street in Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] "80% of China's mask factories are concentrated in Wuhan." "Wearing masks made in Wuhan can cause infection."

Fear of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) is spreading day by day. Among Chinese people, rumors related to this are rapidly spreading, claiming that most mask factories are concentrated in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, the origin of the novel coronavirus infection.

As these rumors spread, a line of Chinese people trying to purchase masks overseas continues. Consequently, more Chinese people are coming to South Korea, which is close to China and whose product quality they trust, to 'sweep up' masks.

In fact, a pharmacy in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, which is frequented by many Chinese, stacks boxes of masks at the entrance for sale. As Wuhan pneumonia became a hot topic, the number of customers seeking masks increased, and especially some Chinese customers try to buy them by the box. Also, some large supermarkets frequently visited by Chinese are experiencing mask shortages. A large supermarket in Jung-gu, Seoul, is known to have Chinese customers buying masks as soon as they are displayed, requiring frequent restocking of the shelves.

One reason Chinese people are sweeping up masks in South Korea is the thorough certification system. To prevent infectious diseases such as the novel coronavirus, products with the KF mark must be used, and South Korean products undergo strict certification procedures by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, with a variety of KF-certified products available.

Domestic consumers view the Chinese mask sweep coldly. Office worker Jung (34) said, "A few days ago, I went around several pharmacies and convenience stores trying to buy masks," adding, "If the Chinese buy them all, won't there be no masks left for us to use?"

Regarding this, the domestic distribution industry says there is no problem. A distribution industry official explained, "We increased mask orders two weeks ago in preparation for Wuhan pneumonia," and "Currently, the stock status is sufficient, so domestic consumers do not need to worry much."

Also, a buyer from a distribution company that travels between China and South Korea said, "More than rumors, there is also the reason that mask shortages have already occurred in China, naturally turning attention to South Korean products," and "I understand that there is considerable demand from Koreans living in China looking for South Korean products."

Meanwhile, as concerns about the spread of Wuhan pneumonia grew, sales of personal hygiene products such as masks and hand sanitizers increased sharply during the Lunar New Year holiday. Convenience store GS25 reported that mask sales during the Lunar New Year holiday increased by 413% compared to the same period last year and by 350% compared to the same days (January 17?20) of the previous week. Hand sanitizer sales increased by 429% year-on-year and 343% week-on-week.

CU also analyzed mask sales from January 20 to 27, when the first confirmed case of Wuhan pneumonia occurred in South Korea, and found a 10.4-fold increase compared to the same period last month. During this period, sales of mouthwash products and hand sanitizers increased by 162.2% and 121.8%, respectively. CU explained, "Mask sales usually increase 5 to 8 times in winter due to fine dust, but the increase was even greater during the holiday period due to concerns about Wuhan pneumonia."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.