221 COVID-19 Cases Managed by Prosecution... 99 Cases of Mask Fraud

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-yoon] As of 9 a.m. on the 11th, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office announced that there are a total of 221 COVID-19 related cases under prosecution management. This is an increase of 13 cases from 208 the previous day and 23 cases from 198 two days ago.

Specifically, there are 25 cases under investigation, 179 cases under police supervision, 14 cases prosecuted (5 prosecuted in custody), and 3 cases not prosecuted.

By charge, the cases are ▲ mask payment fraud 99 cases (fraud) ▲ hoarding of health supplies, etc. 39 cases (violation of the Price Stabilization Act) ▲ spreading false information 38 cases (obstruction of business, etc.) ▲ leakage of data on confirmed patients and suspects 18 cases (breach of official secrets, etc.) ▲ false reporting of contact with confirmed patients and false statements or refusal of quarantine during epidemiological investigations 9 cases (obstruction of official duties by deception, etc.) ▲ sale of uncertified masks and smuggling of masks, etc. 18 cases (violation of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act and Customs Act).

Meanwhile, the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office's 'Task Force for Investigating Distribution Disruption Offenders of Masks and Health Supplies' (Team Leader Jeon Jun-cheol, Head of the Anti-Corruption Investigation Division 2) conducted multiple raids on suppliers and intermediaries of mask fabric (filters) related to illegal activities such as hoarding masks taking advantage of the COVID-19 spread.

The prosecution detected signs that these parties attempted to gain unfair profits by supplying raw materials to mask manufacturers in exchange for receiving finished masks. They secured transaction records of raw and subsidiary materials. Besides securing evidence to prove the charges, the prosecution plans to promptly distribute legally produced masks stored by the businesses that have no quality issues as much as possible.

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