Preliminary Candidate Lee Hyung-seok Urges Crackdown on COVID-19 Related 'Hoarding and Stockpiling'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Lee Hyung-seok, a preliminary candidate of the Democratic Party for the National Assembly election in Buk-gu (Eul), Gwangju Metropolitan City, stated, “Acts of hoarding and speculation on goods that guarantee the safety of the people from the novel coronavirus should be regarded as unfair trade and market order disruption, and must be thoroughly monitored.”

In a press release on the 3rd, the candidate said, “Recently, as the novel coronavirus has spread, the demand for masks and hand sanitizers has explosively increased, causing a shortage as supply cannot keep up with demand.”

He continued, “So far, the main transmission route of the novel coronavirus has been identified as droplet transmission,” explaining, “Droplet infection means that infection occurs when pathogens enter another person’s respiratory tract along with droplets such as saliva and nasal mucus from an infected person.”

He also pointed out, “Many citizens are purchasing large quantities of hygiene products such as masks and hand sanitizers both online and offline to prevent novel coronavirus infection,” adding, “In this process, some sellers are hoarding masks and hand sanitizers and raising prices, which is increasing consumers’ anxiety.”

He added, “The government is doing its best to procure supplies by diversifying supply sources and maximizing domestic production facilities to ensure the smooth supply of safety goods for the people,” and emphasized, “Related notices should be promptly enacted to strictly monitor and punish profiteering and market disruption acts such as hoarding and speculation that jeopardize public safety.”

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