"Without Masks" Pharmacy Threats and Citizen Intimidation... Police Strengthen Patrols at Official Sales Locations

On the 12th, residents are waiting to purchase masks at a pharmacy in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, as Seoul's autonomous districts are implementing supplementary measures tailored to local conditions to reduce residents' inconvenience caused by the mask purchase 5-day rotation system. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] As incidents related to mask purchases amid the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continue to occur, the police have stepped up patrols at public sales locations such as pharmacies and post offices.

According to the National Police Agency on the 13th, as of the previous day, there are 20,431 public mask sales locations nationwide. Among these, 16,373 are pharmacies, 1,617 are post offices, and 2,441 are Nonghyup Hanaro Marts. Public masks, sold under a 5-day rotation system based on the last digit of the birth year, can only be purchased at these locations.

Meanwhile, disputes and threatening behavior toward sellers have continued at public sales locations. On the 9th, a suspect who was intoxicated and threatened with a sickle while demanding masks at a pharmacy in Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi Province was apprehended. On the 10th, at a pharmacy in Jeju-si, a suspect was booked on charges of obstruction of business after repeatedly cursing and shouting because masks did not arrive on time.

Additionally, on the 11th, at a pharmacy in Busan, a suspect who cursed for about an hour and swung a golf club at citizens trying to purchase masks was booked on charges of special threats. On the same day, in Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, a suspect who took photos and threatened by saying "Be careful in the neighborhood. I will kill you" after a dispute broke out while waiting in line to buy masks was also apprehended.

Given the situation, the police have decided to strengthen patrols focusing on public sales locations within the jurisdiction of local police stations and substations, and to respond strictly by promptly dispatching officers upon 112 emergency calls. At about 5,500 public sales locations with large crowds, police officers are stationed as key personnel, while patrols have been intensified at other sales points. When additional personnel are needed, members of the crime prevention patrol team are deployed and conduct joint duty with police officers.

The police plan to coordinate with sales locations such as pharmacies, post offices, and Nonghyup to maintain order during peak sales hours and to implement measures to prevent illegal activities. A police official stated, "We will continue to strengthen patrols at mask sales locations until the COVID-19 situation stabilizes," and added, "We will actively support smooth mask sales and purchases."

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