Gwangju City Operates Report Center for Hoarding Masks and Hand Sanitizers

Gwangju City Hall

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Seon-gang] Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 5th that, following the government's announcement of the ‘Prohibition of Hoarding of Health Masks and Hand Sanitizers’ notice, it will establish and operate a Mask and Hand Sanitizer Hoarding Reporting Center starting from the 6th.

The establishment of the reporting center is a measure to intensively inspect and crack down on hoarding activities amid the recent increase in demand for health masks and hand sanitizers, and to establish a reporting system to maintain the distribution order of masks and related products.

Hoarding activities are punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 50 million KRW under the ‘Price Stabilization Act’.

The criteria for determining hoarding include ▲ storing more than 150% of the average monthly sales volume in 2019 for 5 days or more with the intent to hoard as of the reporting date ▲ for new businesses established in 2019, storing more than 150% of the average monthly sales volume from the start of business to the reporting date for 5 days or more with the intent to hoard ▲ for businesses operating less than 2 months, not returning or selling purchased goods within 10 days from the purchase date.

Upon receiving reports of hoarding activities, the city will conduct joint inspections with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Fair Trade Commission, and other relevant agencies, and if hoarding is confirmed, will take legal action according to related laws.

Park Nam-eon, Director of the City’s Job and Economy Office, stated, “The city will also intensively inspect hoarding activities daily to ensure the smooth supply of masks and related products. We ask citizens to actively report any hoarding activities they discover and to purchase only the necessary quantities so that distribution can be maintained smoothly, thereby effectively preventing infections in the local community.”

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