Probation Sentenced to a 20s Individual for Macro-Driven Mask Hoarding

Court: "Purchase cancellation did not result in obstruction of business"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seongpil Cho] A man in his 20s who hoarded health masks using a 'macro program' that repeatedly performed specific tasks online during last year's mask shortage was sentenced to a suspended prison term.

According to the legal community on the 6th, Judge Donggyun Yoo of the Criminal Division 13 at the Seoul Central District Court sentenced Han Mo (29), who was indicted for obstruction of business, to 4 months in prison with a 2-year suspension, ordered 80 hours of community service, and imposed a fine of 620,000 KRW. Han was tried on charges of ordering 4,120 KF94 masks 168 times online in February last year using a macro program amid a significant increase in mask demand due to COVID-19. At that time, online mask sellers limited the purchase quantity to 2 boxes per item per purchase and a maximum of 400 masks per household per month to prevent buyers from hoarding masks and profiteering. They also implemented security programs to counter macros and canceled abnormal transactions. As a result, most of Han's orders were canceled, according to investigations.

The court pointed out, "In a situation where a nationwide mask shortage occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the defendant obstructed the business of the victim company that aimed to sell masks fairly to general consumers, making the nature of the crime serious and highly blameworthy." However, the court explained the sentencing reason by stating, "As a first-time offender, he acknowledged his wrongdoing, and since a significant portion of the masks were canceled, the obstruction of business did not realistically occur."

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