Police Arrest Group That Manufactured 25,000 Defective Masks Using Purchased Discarded Materials

On the 10th, a public mask-related notice is posted at a pharmacy in Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and the ensuing 'mask crisis,' defective mask manufacturing has been on the rise. This time, a group in Gyeongbuk was caught by the police for manufacturing tens of thousands of masks without authorization.

The Chilgok Police Station in Gyeongbuk announced on the 10th that they have arrested and are investigating three individuals, including manufacturer Mr. A, on charges of violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act.

They are suspected of purchasing the facial parts of health masks that were supposed to be discarded at the end of last month and reprocessing them to produce 25,000 defective masks. It was also found that they manufactured masks without registering as manufacturers with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.

The police have seized the defective masks and are checking whether any of the products have been distributed in the market.

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