The Cry of Mask 'Gongjeok Sales Places'... "Why Do We Have to Be Scapegoats?"

Government Selects 'Pharmacy' as Primary Public Sales Outlet for Largest Public Supply
Many Small Businesses Without Separate Staff
"From Explanation to Complaints, Must Handle Angry Customers," Expressing Difficulties

On the 6th, citizens are purchasing masks at a pharmacy near Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. From this day forward, a duplicate purchase verification system has been established at pharmacies nationwide, requiring presentation of an ID to buy masks. The purchase limit per person has been reduced from 5 masks to 2 masks per person. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] "People waiting in line get angry, saying 'Aren't some people sneaking items out? Why isn't the queue managed?'... How many small, independent pharmacies have the staff to manage that? Normal prescription dispensing and medication guidance work is impossible, and we are suffering from mental labor. I never said I would volunteer, but (in reality) I am volunteering. If only I could hear a word of praise or thanks, but instead, I feel like a scapegoat who gains nothing."

As the government announced plans to increase the volume of public sales centered on pharmacies, confusion is intensifying at sales sites. Especially in so-called 'neighborhood pharmacies' where only one or two pharmacists work, the congestion is so severe that normal business is difficult, and there are many cases where pharmacists complain about being troubled by customers' reprimands and suspicions.

A pharmacist who identified themselves as A on an internet cafe explained, "Every day for a week, about 50 to 100 public supply items come in, and if 10 to 20 customers buy them, that's it," adding, "But inquiries are more than ten times that. Everyone is desperate, asking when, at what time, and how much will come in, and eventually, answering those questions is tearing my throat apart." They continued, "When the time is announced, people line up three hours in advance, and seeing elderly customers waiting to get a few items is also a hardship," and "Pharmacies don't even know well when and how many masks will arrive the next day, so we are suffering from mental labor."

The government previously stated that most of the public supply would be distributed through pharmacies equipped with a duplicate supply prevention system. Koo Yoon-cheol, the 2nd Vice Minister of Strategy and Finance, appeared on a broadcast the day before and said, "About 10 million masks are produced, and of the 8 million public supply masks, 2 million will be prioritized for the medical community and special management areas like Daegu and Gyeongbuk, and 6 million will be supplied to the market (pharmacies, Nonghyup, post offices, etc.)."

On the 6th, citizens are purchasing masks at a pharmacy near Jongno 5-ga, Seoul. From this day onward, a duplicate purchase verification system has been established at pharmacies nationwide, requiring presentation of identification to buy masks. The purchase limit per person has been reduced from 5 masks to 2 masks per person. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

According to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, among the designated public sales locations, pharmacies have the highest number of stores. There are 22,543 pharmacies nationwide, 1,898 Nonghyup branches, and 1,406 post offices. The government's goal is to supply about 100 items per post office and Nonghyup branch, and about 250 items per pharmacy. If this estimate is accurate, it is highly likely that buyers will flock to pharmacies, which have the largest supply volume and best accessibility.

Another pharmacist, B, said, "The government controls the price at 1,500 won, but considering card fees, taxes, staff wages, and rent, in reality, even selling a few hundred or a few thousand items leaves no profit," adding, "We also have to provide prescription medication guidance, but customers complain to the pharmacy that they feel uncomfortable with the crowd of people." They said, "It is mentally very painful." They continued, "Pharmacies also have to input and check resident registration numbers one by one and explain to elderly customers why they can only buy two masks, which is also the pharmacy's responsibility," emphasizing, "We understand it is an emergency, but pharmacies are not community centers; they are private businesses that have to pay rent every month."

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