Ahn Cheol-soo: "Mask Hoarding Must Be Strictly Cracked Down On"

“Unofficial Expert Advisory Group Is No Different from Choi Soon-sil”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, stated on the 25th regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation, “There is a need for transparent and accurate information provision on the production and distribution of masks,” and added, “Public authority must be deployed to strongly crack down on hoarding of masks.”

On the same day, Ahn said on Facebook, “Last night, a KF94 mask was priced at 6,500 won on an online shopping mall, but even that was sold out. Even if you are lucky enough to place an order, delivery takes more than three days,” and added, “It has become as difficult as catching a star in the sky to find a 500-won disposable mask as usual.”

He pointed out, “According to the news, the domestic production of health masks is said to be 12 million units per day,” and “Among them, public suspicion is growing regarding the purchase volume by local governments and orders from China.”

He continued, “Exports of masks should be temporarily blocked, and a public emergency distribution network should be operated so that all citizens can purchase masks in small quantities evenly,” adding, “Because issues of life and safety must be equal for all citizens.”

Ahn emphasized, “Now is the time to overcome the national crisis together with all citizens,” and said, “The National Assembly should gather strength and wisdom to amend laws related to the supply and demand of major items such as masks during infectious disease crises as soon as the doors open.”

Ahn criticized, “Among the Korean Medical Association’s government stance, there was talk of replacing the unofficial expert advisory group. They reportedly advised that restrictions on entry from China were unnecessary or that asymptomatic transmission was impossible,” and said, “If this is true, it is no different from the existence of Choi Soon-sil in the previous government.”

Ahn said, “It seems that the reason why the president and the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters continued to make misjudgments and delayed responses is now being explained,” and added, “The government’s misjudgments and incompetence should be compiled into a white paper in the future to ensure that such incidents never happen again.”

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