[Report] "Please Take Only One" Free Mask Grab Frenzy in Subway... Visiting Seoul Station, City Hall, and Euljiro

Masks Placed at Subway Information Desks... Some Citizens Take Them Entirely
Citizens Unite in Criticism: "Thieves' Mentality"
Seoul Metro, Station Staff to Distribute Masks at Customer Service Centers

Mask distribution boxes placed at the information desks in Line 2 subway stations. The masks were sold out immediately after being stocked. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@.asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "It's really bitter. Please take only one mask each."

Amid the impact of the novel coronavirus (Wuhan pneumonia), free masks and hand sanitizers have been provided on Seoul subways and buses. However, some citizens have been taking multiple masks or even entire bottles of hand sanitizer, causing public disapproval.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, citizens met by Asia Economy around Seoul Station on Line 1 and City Hall and Euljiro 1(il)-ga Station on Line 2 voiced their criticism in unison.

A 45-year-old office worker A, met at Euljiro 3(sam)-ga Station on Line 2, said, "They are people without conscience. They don't think about others at all, do they?" He raised his voice, saying, "Isn't it because of such people that others can't wear masks?"

Another office worker B in his 30s also expressed, "I hope they get fined or something," adding, "It really makes me feel bad."

Line 1 Seoul Station subway concourse information desk. No masks can be found. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@.asiae.co.kr

A man in his 50s, C, met near the subway station at Seoul Station on Line 1, said, "In a difficult situation where everyone is struggling with an infectious disease, acting like only I should do well is no different from a thief's mindset," expressing his anger. He added, "It's really shameful."

D, a man in his 40s who said he usually uses the free masks distributed on the subway, lamented, "It's a matter of conscience that everyone should follow, but is it really that difficult?" He added, "I hope people would think about their neighbors instead of only themselves."

The masks placed in subway stations were disappearing as soon as they were put out. A subway station staff member explained, "We usually put about 50 masks at the information booth in front of the ticket gates, but when we come back after placing them, they are already gone."

He added, "If you calculate the time it takes for 50 masks to disappear, it seems to be about 10 minutes," and said, "There is a daily mask distribution quota, but they are all used up in the morning, and there are no more masks to supply to citizens."

Masks and hand sanitizers provided in a customer service office at a subway station. Masks can be taken on a one-per-person basis. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@.asiae.co.kr

Given the situation, Seoul Metro issued a directive to each station from the morning of that day to place masks in the subway customer service offices.

Kim Jeong-il, Director of the Seoul Disease Control Department, said at the Seoul city regular briefing that day, "There are reports that 1,000 masks placed at subway stations in the morning run out within 30 minutes," and pointed out, "At first, we put them out urgently and let citizens take them freely. We hoped people would use one mask per person conscientiously, but that was not the case."

He continued, "There are cases where people take entire bottles of hand sanitizer. It even happened on the first floor of Seoul City Hall," and said, "There are reports that adhesive is applied under the bottles or they are chained with metal chains."

Director Kim stated, "From now on, masks distributed in the subway will be handled by posting notices and having people receive them from station staff."

In the case of masks, you must visit the nearby Customer Service Center to receive them. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@.asiae.co.kr

That afternoon, masks that had been placed at subway information desks at City Hall and Seoul Station were nowhere to be found. Instead, there were notices asking people to go to the nearby customer service centers to receive masks.

Citizens either headed to the customer service offices according to the notices or turned away and passed by. Some citizens were seen using only hand sanitizer.

Meanwhile, some citizens expressed inconvenience. A man in his 30s said, "I thought there were masks, but there aren't any," adding, "I can get one if I go to the information center, but it's a bit inconvenient."

Station staff responsible for mask distribution explained that although it may be inconvenient, it is a measure to allow more citizens to use masks.

A subway station staff member said, "Giving masks at the customer service office is to enforce the one mask per person usage rule," and urged, "Although it may be a little inconvenient, we hope everyone actively participates so that more citizens can use masks and hand sanitizers."

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