Ahn Cheol-soo: "People Struggle to Get Masks... Are Local Governments Helping China?"

"Why Should Our Own Citizens Face Reverse Discrimination?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, criticized on the 25th regarding the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation, saying, “Our citizens find it difficult to buy even one mask at 6,500 won, so how can local governments buy masks at 1,000 won and send them to (China)? I cannot understand why they are even helping the Chinese side secure supplies.”

On the same day, Ahn said on Facebook, “Local governments are competing to send masks to their sister Chinese local governments,” adding, “According to a news report today, Chungnam Province plans to send 130,000 medical masks (KF94), purchasing them for a total of 130 million won, at 1,000 won per mask. The situation seems similar for other local governments.”

Ahn pointed out, “It is not private organizations sending them on humanitarian grounds, so I am curious why local governments have to take the lead. I believe that humanity is equal in the face of life and safety, but I do not understand why our own citizens have to be discriminated against.”

Ahn said, “Even at this moment, our citizens are sharing news via social network services (SNS) about how many masks have arrived at local stores or shopping malls, worrying about each other’s well-being and maintaining bonds of coexistence,” adding, “I wish the government of the Republic of Korea would resemble even a fraction of our citizens.”

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