"Please Lower Mask Prices" COVID-19 Eases... Will Mask Prices Decrease?

Public Masks Currently Sold at 1,500 Won Each
Government: "Mask Prices Must Reflect Costs at Production, Distribution, and Consumption Stages"
Citizens Express "Mask Prices Are Burdensome"
Experts Say "Selling Without Price Reduction Is Problematic"

A pharmacy located in an alley in Jung-gu, Seoul. The photo is unrelated to specific expressions in the article. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] "It's now a stable period, so please lower the price of masks.", "Masks are too expensive."

As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) eases and domestic mask production stabilizes, voices of dissatisfaction regarding mask prices are emerging.

There are criticisms that masks, which could be purchased for 500 to 1000 won per piece at the end of January when there was a shortage, are now being sold at excessively high prices.

As the COVID-19 situation enters a stable phase, it has been found that the supply of masks now exceeds consumption.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), weekly mask consumption, which was around 60 million pieces in April, decreased by about 20% to 48.5 million pieces in the 4th week (20th?26th).

On the other hand, during the same period, mask supply reached a total of 86.52 million pieces, including 83.14 million pieces produced domestically, resulting in supply surpassing demand and stabilizing the domestic mask supply situation.

The problem lies in the fact that despite the improved domestic mask supply situation, masks are being sold at prices higher than before COVID-19. Moreover, masks with different filtration efficiencies are being sold at the same price, drawing criticism.

Citizens are voicing complaints, saying, "Please lower domestic mask prices before overseas aid."

Recently, petitions titled "Lower the price of public masks" have been posted one after another on the Blue House's public petition board.

The petitioner appealed, "Recently, the government said it would send 1 million masks overseas, the supply situation has somewhat stabilized, and raw material supply is not problematic, so why hasn't the price of public masks been lowered yet?" and added, "For a family of four receiving three masks per week, it costs 72,000 won. The mask cost burden is heavy in these difficult times."

Recently, several petitions titled "Please lower the price of public masks" have been posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. Photo by Yonhap News

Complaints are also mounting at sales sites. Mr. A, a citizen in his 60s who visited a pharmacy in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, said, "When will mask prices go down?" and expressed frustration, saying, "Masks with different filtration efficiencies are priced the same."

In response to these citizens' complaints, pharmacist B (65) at a pharmacy in Gwanak-gu lamented, "Recently, there have been many protests from citizens regarding mask prices and quantities," adding, "Public masks come in at the same price whether KF94 or KF80."

Experts pointed out that it is problematic to continue selling masks without lowering prices despite smooth supply.

Professor Lee Eunhee of the Department of Consumer Studies at Inha University emphasized in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "Although prices vary depending on mask filtration efficiency, selling masks at 1,500 won after the situation has stabilized, when they were sold for under 1,000 won before COVID-19, is problematic."

She continued, "If supply and demand are smooth, prices should return to previous levels," and criticized, "Selling masks at high prices domestically while supplying masks overseas for humanitarian reasons is unacceptable."

She also explained, "Currently, public masks include KF94 and KF80, and prices should vary according to filtration efficiency. However, since they are currently sold at the same price, consumer dissatisfaction is inevitable," adding, "The government must take action because public masks are supplied under government responsibility."

Meanwhile, the government showed a cautious stance regarding demands to lower prices since there is a surplus of masks.

On the 7th, at a briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong, MFDS Commissioner Lee Ui-kyung stated, "Prices must be set by comprehensively considering costs at production, distribution, and consumption stages," adding, "This matter requires discussions not only by the MFDS but also by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, which oversees prices, and the Public Procurement Service. We will continue to discuss this comprehensively going forward."

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