'Impact of Novel Coronavirus' Surge in Mask Usage... Incheon City Cracks Down on 'Fake' Health Masks

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyesook] Incheon City will conduct a comprehensive crackdown on distribution and sales outlets from the 3rd to the 14th to ensure the smooth distribution and supply of safe and effective health masks in relation to the prevention of the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia).

As the demand for masks has surged, the city will focus its crackdown on major distribution companies selling health masks, such as popular online shopping malls and large supermarkets.

The crackdown will focus on acts such as advertising general industrial masks as health masks, manufacturing masks at unregistered factories and distributing them, and selling general masks disguised as certified health masks.

Health masks must be manufactured and sold with approval as quasi-drugs from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, and are classified into three types according to performance: KF80, KF94, and KF99.

The city plans to collect suspicious health mask products distributed in the market during the crackdown and request testing agencies to inspect whether they meet the standards according to the product type.

Song Young-gwan, head of the Special Judicial Police Division of Incheon City, stated, "Health masks are managed as quasi-drugs under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act," and added, "Violating businesses will be investigated and sent to the prosecution, and administrative agencies will be requested to take administrative actions. Strict measures will be taken according to relevant laws and regulations."

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