[Press Release, Feb 26, 2020 / unofficial translation ]



Supply of first manufactured filtering respirators started since the enforcement of new measure
- 1 million stocks prioritized for Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas (special pandemic control area) -


□ The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS; Minister: Lee, Eui-Kyung) announced its plans to supply filtering respirators that to the market today. Today is the first day the emergency supply adjustment measure takes effect.

○ Today’s supply measure is aimed at providing 1 mil filtering respirators for Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas (special pandemic control area).
- Such measure was deemed necessary as the newly revised regulation, which took effect at 00:00 on Feb. 26 stipulates that at least 50% of the daily production volume of filtering respirators shall be released to public retailers.
※ Korea Post, Hanaro Mart (Nonghyup), Public Shopping, Small and Medium Business Distribution Center, and other points of sale determined by the MFDS

○ Furthermore, filtering respirators will become available at public retailers selling publicly supplied filtering respirators such as pharmacies, post offices, and NH Hanaro marts in other areas.


□ For general consumers, the MFDS will supply approximately 5 mil filtering respirators to public retailers including pharmacies, post offices, and NH Hanaro marts and take appropriate measures to stabilize the supply of filtering respirators by continuously monitoring the distribution in the market.

○ We will continue to support the supply of filtering respirators to prevent COVID-19 and underpin quarantine and medical activities be carried out without any hindrance.