Politicians under fire for choice of masks

Main opposition United Future Party (UFP) member Rep. Kim Mi-ae, right, sports a mesh mask as she sits next to Kim Chong-in, the leader of the UFP, on a visit to the office of Jung Eun-kyeong, head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Aug. 21. Courtesy of UFP

By Do Je-hae

The use of face masks for protection against COVID-19 has emerged as a subject of political controversy among supporters of the ruling and opposition parties.

Some politicians have come under fire this week for choosing to wear masks which are seen as not providing adequate protection.

Rep. Kim Mi-ae of the main opposition United Future Party (UPF), accompanying the party's interim chief Kim Chong-in, visited the office of Jung Eun-kyeong, head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Osong, North Chungcheong Province, Aug. 21.

Photos of them sitting side by side across from Jung at her office angered citizens because Rep. Kim was wearing a mesh mask ― a type of mask adopted by some recently because of the hot weather ― but they have not been certified as effective in preventing droplet transmission.

Supporters of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea have slammed her for wearing an uncertified mask, with online comment such as “How can one wear a mask that cannot block saliva droplets when talking to Jung, the top chief of the nation's disease control efforts?” or “Is she thinking more about fashion?”

After her mask became a controversy, Kim refuted claims that she was wearing an inappropriate mask by saying that her mask has a “97.1 percent” efficiency in preventing ultrafine particles.

Former Justice Minister Cho Kuk arrives at the Seoul Central District Court for a trial, wearing a mesh mask, Aug. 14. Yonhap

Meanwhile, supporters of the UFP have hit back, posting photos of Cho Kuk, a former senior presidential aide and former justice minister, wearing a similar mask as Rep. Kim's. He was photographed wearing the mask on Aug. 14 when he showed up for trial at a local court.

The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has urged citizens to wear certified masks such as the KF94, KF80 and KF-AD to prevent the spread of COVID-19.