Jung Min-ho has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2012, mostly covering social and political issues. He currently belongs to the Politics & City Desk where he covers topics such as health, labor and human rights. Prior to joining the team, he was responsible for covering North Korea and sports. His article about a biosecurity breach of Middle East respiratory syndrome won him an award from the Korea Science Journalists Association in 2016. He is also the co-author of the book, "Medical Pioneers of Korea" (2019). He served as the head of the international relations committee at the Journalists Association of Korea from 2021 to 2023.
Gov't to restrict face mask exports
People wearing face masks contend with a rainy Tuesday in Seoul. AP
By Jung Min-ho
By Jung Min-ho
The government said Tuesday it will restrict the export of face masks over the next two months to ensure sufficient domestic supply amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety said that, from Wednesday, mask manufacturers will not be allowed to export more than 10 percent of their daily production until April 30.
The manufacturers also are required to release at least 50 percent of their daily output to designated retailers, including Korea Post and Nonghyup.
“There have been setbacks in supplying enough masks to the public despite the fact that the daily production of masks has doubled to 11 million in the past two weeks,” Minister Lee Eui-kyung said during a press briefing. “To meet the domestic demand, we will limit the amount of masks for export.”
The ministry will also require surgical mask makers to report their daily production, prices and who they sold their products to.