Gang Sentenced to Prison with Probation for Earning 600 Million Won by Illegally Distributing Masks During COVID-19 Pandemic

Disposable dental masks displayed at a large supermarket in Seoul. The photo is unrelated to the content of the text. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] A group that illegally distributed masks, whose prices skyrocketed due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), and gained unfair profits was sentenced to imprisonment in the first trial.

According to the legal community on the 14th, Judge Jang Young-chae of the Criminal Division 11 at the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Mr. A and Mr. B, who were indicted for violating the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, to one year in prison with a two-year probation and five months in prison with a one-year probation, respectively. The court pointed out, "The defendants sold bulk masks without the information required by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act in order to gain economic benefits by exploiting the COVID-19 infection situation," adding, "They endangered public health and increased public anxiety, so their responsibility is not light."

Earlier, Mr. A was prosecuted on charges of purchasing and selling 600,000 bulk masks?masks in a so-called 'bulk' state without labeling such as the name of the quasi-drug, manufacturing number, and expiration date?for 360 million won as the price of health masks soared due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Current law prohibits the sale of quasi-drugs that do not have the name, manufacturer, and other information required by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. Mr. A resold these masks at 800 to 1,000 won per piece, making a profit. He gained unfair profits worth up to 600 million won. Mr. B was indicted for selling 100,000 masks purchased from Mr. A at a price higher than the purchase price.

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