70-Year-Old Community Leader Reported for Sharing Masks Distributed to Vulnerable Groups with Acquaintances

On the 13th, at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, a citizen is donating masks during the 'Salvation Army Mask Donation Campaign'. Photo by Jang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-ju] A 70-year-old community leader was caught by the police for embezzling masks distributed to vulnerable groups for the purpose of preventing the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 16th, the Naju Police Station in Jeollanam-do announced that they had booked community leader A (70) without detention on charges of embezzlement for sharing some of the masks meant for vulnerable groups with acquaintances.

A is suspected of distributing only 248 out of 570 masks received from Naju City for COVID-19 prevention to vulnerable households, and giving the remaining 322 masks to acquaintances.

According to the police investigation, A stated that he delivered the masks to elderly neighbors he knew personally.

The police are investigating with the possibility that there may be other community leaders who have embezzled welfare masks.

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