Mart Union "Marts Should Close at Stage 3"...Large Marts "Performing Public Functions, No Overseas Cases"

Chain Store Association "Performing Public Functions... Panic Buying Feared if Closed"
Mart Union "Infection Risk Remains Due to Crowds... Sufficient Alternative Stores"

Interior view of the mart. Photo is not directly related to the article.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Hye-seon] Large supermarkets and labor unions are at odds over whether large supermarkets should be subject to closure orders when social distancing is raised to level 3 due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

According to the distribution industry on the 16th, the Chain Store Association, representing large supermarkets, and the Mart Industry Labor Union of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Service Federation issued opposing statements simultaneously on the 15th, intensifying the conflict. The Chain Store Association emphasized the "public function" of large supermarkets and argued that they should be designated as essential facilities, while the Mart Industry Labor Union insisted that stores should close to ensure the safety of customers and employees. The union also demanded measures to secure livelihoods for employees even if stores close, highlighting a significant difference in views between the two sides.

"Closing Large Supermarkets Causes More Harm Than Good"

The Chain Store Association submitted a proposal titled "The Need to Exclude Large Supermarkets from Closure Orders under COVID-19 Level 3 Quarantine Measures" to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The association stated, "Large supermarkets are representative retail formats that supply essential daily necessities to the public, and their distribution function should be strengthened in times of disaster," emphasizing, "No overseas countries have included large supermarkets supplying daily necessities in closure orders." According to the government's released "Recommendations on Restrictions for Multi-use Facilities by Country," no country has enforced closure of large supermarkets.

The association particularly stressed concerns about "panic buying." It argued that if large supermarkets close, panic buying similar to overseas cases could occur, destabilizing prices. During the level 3 escalation on the 12th and 13th, when confirmed cases exceeded 900, some panic buying was observed due to fears of closure orders on large supermarkets.

The association also emphasized that if essential goods are supplied only through small stores, the number of close contacts per unit area would increase, creating gaps in quarantine measures. Additionally, with the surge in online shopping demand, concerns about logistics disruptions arise, and elderly people unfamiliar with online payments may face difficulties purchasing essential goods, leading to isolation.

Union: "Small and Medium Supermarkets Are Sufficient for Essential Goods Supply"

The Mart Union issued a statement through the media calling for large supermarkets to be included in closure orders under COVID-19 level 3. The union argued, "Large supermarkets are crowded with people trying to buy essential goods and are directly exposed to the risk of COVID-19 infection," adding, "Essential goods can be sufficiently purchased through small and medium-sized businesses and nearby stores, so large supermarkets must be included in closure orders." The union also stated, "There must be no layoffs or livelihood insecurity for mart workers receiving minimum wage due to store closures," and "The responsibility for the management crisis should not be shifted onto workers."

In response to the union's claims, a large supermarket official said, "We have installed customer safety guards at checkout counters, customer service centers, and gift card shops where close contact occurs, disinfecting daily and thoroughly implementing quarantine measures," and rebutted, "It is difficult to accept the opinion that workers at small and medium-sized supermarkets are safe while those at large supermarkets are at risk."

The key lies with the government. According to the government's revised social distancing plan announced last August, if the level is raised to 3, distribution facilities classified as large stores (retail stores with an area of 300㎡ or more) under the Distribution Industry Development Act will be subject to closure orders and business suspension. Although large supermarkets fall under large distribution facilities by area, they are also classified as "essential facilities" handling daily necessities, making it unclear whether they are exempt from closure orders. The government has given ambiguous answers, stating, "We will discuss and decide on adjustments during the practical review process of level 3," which only fuels the controversy.

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