Prime Minister Kim: "Test kits to be supplied to the private sector at 'over 12 million units weekly' from now on"

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum is speaking at a meeting on the private distribution of rapid antigen tests held at the Government Seoul Office Building on the 17th. 2022.2.17 Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Son Seon-hee] Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum announced on the 17th, "We plan to supply more than 12 million test kits weekly to the private sector."

At a meeting held that afternoon at the Government Seoul Office with the president of the Korean Pharmaceutical Association and representatives of seven convenience store chains, Prime Minister Kim said, "We ask the pharmaceutical association and convenience store industry to manage inventory carefully through redistribution of supplies to minimize regional and branch disparities."

Prime Minister Kim added, "Due to the spread of the Omicron variant, national demand for rapid antigen test kits is expected to increase," and requested cooperation, saying, "It is time for the government and private sector to work together so that citizens can purchase kits more easily and affordably." He also said, "There will likely be considerable inconvenience for frontline pharmacies and convenience stores in the process of dividing and selling bulk packages," and urged, "Please encourage the efforts of frontline sellers and provide active support."

Regarding limiting kit sales to pharmacies and convenience stores and setting the price at 6,000 won, he explained, "We must prevent repeated inconveniences to the public caused by price surges and frequent stockouts."

Attendees at the meeting included Kim Dae-up, president of the Korean Pharmaceutical Association; Choi Kyung-ho, CEO of Seven Eleven; Lee Geon-jun, CEO of CU; Jung Jae-hyung, head of GS25 Convenience Store Division; Shim Kwan-seop, CEO of Ministop; Lee Eun-yong, CEO of C-Space; Kim Jang-wook, CEO of Emart24; and Jo Hyung-ik, CEO of Korail Distribution.

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