Military Officer Caught Smuggling Masks Intended for Soldiers

On the 2nd, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continued, citizens lined up at Seoul Station to purchase masks. Korail Distribution is conducting a "National Mask No-Margin Event," selling KF94 certified masks at 1,000 KRW each, excluding distribution margins, at SME Premium Maru stores in Seoul Station, Daejeon Station, and Gwangju Station. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] A military officer was caught diverting COVID-19 prevention masks, which were supposed to be supplied to soldiers, to the outside.

According to the Army on the 29th, Captain A, who works as an administrative supply officer at a unit in Gyeonggi-do, is suspected of removing and selling 2,100 KF94-grade masks for soldiers from the unit's warehouse around mid-February. The unit had purchased masks for soldiers and stored them in the warehouse during the worsening COVID-19 situation in February.

In late February, the unit confirmed a shortage of masks while preparing to distribute them and conducted an internal investigation. During this process, they became aware of Captain A's criminal suspicion through an anonymous tip and the military police launched a full investigation last month.

When the military police searched Captain A's residence, he reportedly attempted self-harm at the scene. Captain A has since been discharged from the hospital and is reported to be in stable condition.

An Army official explained, "The quantity diverted was partial, and there was enough mask stock at the time, so there was no problem distributing them to the soldiers."

The investigative authorities are currently examining the exact scale of the criminal proceeds.

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