As of 4:00 pm on the 6th local time, South Korea added 309 new cases of newly diagnosed pneumocoronary pneumonia compared with 0:00 on the same day, with a total of 6,553 confirmed cases.

With the deterioration of the epidemic, the lives of ordinary people have been affected: "mask shortages" have set off a storm, and more than 70,000 Chinese students have fallen into a dilemma ...

Gwanghwamun rally was suspended in Seoul, and people walked past Gwanghwamun Square wearing masks. Photo by China Press Agency

Restrict purchase by birthday number-it's too difficult to buy a mask!

According to the new rules in South Korea, starting March 9, each person is allowed to purchase only two government-supplied masks a week, not only to register an ID card, but also to get a number plate at a designated place in advance.

The most important thing is to implement "tail-limited purchase" according to the year of birth: Monday, birthday numbers 1, 6 can be bought, Tuesday birthdays 2, 7 can be bought ... and so on, weekends are not limited.

A month ago, no one could have imagined that masks would one day become "rare items." If you invested in a batch of masks in South Korea in early January, congratulations, the returns have already exceeded stocks.

Since January, South Korean mask prices have skyrocketed. KF94 masks with an average price of 400 won in early January rose to over 3,000 won in the middle and late January. There are complex factors such as public panic purchases and overseas purchases, but public opinion generally acknowledges that hoarding of suppliers, agents and distributors who resell and sit at ground prices has greatly disrupted the market economy.

The South Korean government was anxious early. In early February, officials conveniently started to rectify the mask market, severely cracked down on some businesses, coerced prices, and unilaterally cancelled mask orders. The maximum fine was 50 million won; at the same time, illegal purchases were investigated and punished. On February 13, the South Korean Customs Service intercepted 700,000 suspected illegal export masks.

I thought the situation had subsided. Who expected that the outbreak of the outbreak in South Korea on February 19, the number of confirmed cases surged. "A hood is hard to find" is getting worse.

On March 1, outside a supermarket in Jongno-gu, Seoul, people lined up to buy masks. Photo by China Press Agency

In Daegu, the "heavy-hit area" of the epidemic, some people complained that "it took seven hours to line up to buy masks." In Seoul and other places, most commercial supermarkets have also imposed restrictions on the purchase of masks, with 10 "caps" per person.

From February 26, South Korea began to restrict the export of masks: sellers are prohibited from exporting masks; manufacturers are required to control the export volume to less than 10% of the production volume on the day. The government also requires that 50% of mask production be allocated to the official.

In March, South Korea again “escalated” the restraining order. From March 6, the export of masks will be banned and production will be increased. National mask manufacturers will be required to submit 80% of their masks to the government. The government also distributes masks regularly and regularly at post offices and supermarkets for purchase by the public. Officially released masks are cheaper at about 1,000 won and almost 6 yuan.

Government intervention in the market is rare in South Korea and has caused controversy. It's not hard to guess behind the scenes: it's true.

But this is what the public sees: a sloppy salary. Not only is the "mask shortage" still grim, but the low-cost masks distributed by the government have also triggered a "purchase boom." In Daegu, Seoul, and other places, a few hundred meters long before the masks are released every day, there will be a "festival" of masks rushing for hundreds of meters: crowds at the scene, you may not be able to buy masks, but it will definitely increase the risk of infection.

You may not be able to buy a mask, but it will definitely increase the risk of infection. Photo by China Press Agency

In Daegu, a confirmed patient appeared in a long line to buy a mask and was also interviewed. Scared the people next to the police on the spot.

According to official Korean data, by mid-February, the daily output of masks in South Korea was about 11 million, which doubled compared with the output in early February, but still in short supply. The Korea Trade Association reported that in January this year, exports of "other textiles" such as masks accounted for nearly 90% of total exports in 2019.

Some experts pointed out that due to sudden changes in the epidemic situation, the "outflow" of masks in the early period caused tight domestic inventory and limited production capacity, coupled with the severe global epidemic, which blocked import channels, and it was difficult to resolve the contradiction between supply and demand in a short period of time.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in apologized publicly, saying that he was "guilty of not being able to solve the mask problem for a long time," and said that he would work out a more equitable distribution method based on expanding production.

Fortunately, South Korea will not "stand alone." On March 5, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu stated that China is willing to provide all necessary assistance to the South Korean side and fully support the Korean government and people in fighting the epidemic. The Chinese government will soon provide South Korea with a batch of much-needed medical aid; it is also discussing with South Korea to establish a joint prevention and control mechanism.

Earlier, the Chinese Embassy in Korea and many Chinese-funded enterprises have donated money and supplies to Daegu and other places. Shanghai and Weihai also provided epidemic prevention supplies to South Korean sister cities.

The bigger good news is that as China's epidemic is brought under overall control, it will greatly ease the pressure on global supply chains. China is the world's largest mask manufacturer, with an annual output of about 50% of the world. According to official Chinese news on March 2, China ’s daily production capacity of masks has continued to grow rapidly, both exceeding 100 million.

South Korea ’s Central Accident Handling Division ’s copy minister, Kim Gang-li, also revealed good news at a press conference on the 5th: The inspection of symptomatic people among Daegu “Xintiandi” believers has been completed, and the number of confirmed diagnoses is expected to gradually decrease.

Delay, delay again-not easy to go to school!

The sudden outbreak in South Korea has left more than 70,000 Chinese students "unprepared". Also in a surprising way, this group was pushed to the forefront of public opinion.

Following the outbreak of China in January, the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Wuhan suspended visa operations, and the number of flights between China and South Korea plummeted, making it difficult for some students to return to Korea. After the South Korean epidemic spread in February, new regulations are constantly being adjusted to make life more difficult for students studying abroad.

Liu Hanbo, 21, studied electrical engineering at Hanyang University in South Korea. He returned to South Korea on February 10. At that time, I felt that "it's quite safe, and all new cases are zero for a few days."

According to regulations, Chinese students need to live in a quarantine dormitory after returning to school. He "expressed" this. In the isolated room, equipped with daily necessities and providing meals, he was quite satisfied except that "the kettle was not very clean". Every day, he reads books, memorizes words, and plans to apply for foreign exchange programs next semester.

But the plan can't keep up. On February 19, after the spread of the outbreak in South Korea, South Korea delayed the start of university twice.

On March 1, police officers were wearing masks near Gwanghwamun. Photo by China Press Agency

"I'm a bit afraid I can't start school." Liu Hanbo said that the exchange program that is applied for requires semesters in this semester to complete the credits. "I have no choice but to take this semester," he said.

His classmate Xin Yu also “worried about not being able to attend class”, she hoped to graduate smoothly. Xin Yu returned to South Korea in early February. At that time, "I was in a hurry. I was afraid that I could not fly to Korea after the flight."

The South Korean Ministry of Education recommends that colleges and universities advise Chinese students who have not set an entry date to suspend school.

But school breaks are not so easy. Foreign student Deng Zewei planned to return to South Korea on February 23, but in the face of the severe epidemic and the policy of postponing school, he chose to stay in China.

"It's a dilemma now." Deng Zewei said, on the one hand, he was afraid of South Korea's insecurity, and on the other, the time cost of school suspension was too high. He is a teacher and chose to stay on pay for a PhD in South Korea. His research time is limited.

Furthermore, rent deposits in South Korea cannot be exchanged, and a series of practical problems loomed. He hoped that South Korea would improve the system of teaching online courses, and even looked forward to "the epidemic ended soon."

As the epidemic worsened, mixed with partisan struggles and complex social sentiments, Chinese students were also drawn into a storm of public opinion.

Photo courtesy of Qingwa Terrace

The view represented by South Korean "conservatives" believes that Chinese students increase campus security risks and attack the ruling party "weak against China, and Chinese people should be restricted from entering the country comprehensively." The "conservative" Korean newspaper published an analysis of the so-called Korea University and Jianyang University, saying that at least 38 new Chinese students have entered the country and up to 813 infections have been reported.

Controversy intensified with the first confirmed case of a Chinese student studying in South Korea. In early March, after a Chinese student went to Korea, he was tested at the airport without any abnormalities and was diagnosed after arriving at the school. Although this is the only case of more than 30,000 Chinese students in South Korea, there is a view that "there is no restriction on entry and the red light for the management of Chinese students."

Xin Yu "does not understand" the voice of "a total ban on Chinese entry" on the Internet. She said that the outbreak in South Korea "can't blame the Chinese", and Chinese students are consciously isolated as required. "Even if all Chinese are restricted from entering, are there no infectious diseases?"

Liu Hanbo also felt that "some Korean netizens are focusing on the wrong points." He said that many Korean friends still don't take the epidemic seriously and don't wear masks. A few days ago, Liu Hanbo wore goggles and was "ridiculed" on the street and considered "performing performance art."

South Korea ’s Gwanghwamun Plaza has set up a notice board calling for “stop the rally”. Photo by China Press Agency

"If the public's awareness of prevention does not keep up, it is most likely to worsen the epidemic," he said.

In response to the situation and difficulties of Chinese students, China actively coordinated. Li Hong, the Education Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in South Korea, introduced that a daily reporting mechanism has been established to track the status of international students; and he has communicated with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea to urge it to pay attention to and prevent and control the epidemic situation of Chinese international students to protect their legitimate rights and interests.

Recently, Counsellor Wang Luxin, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in South Korea, went to Incheon International Student Consultation Center. He said that China and South Korea should help each other, and Chinese returnees encountered some difficulties after returning to Korea. He hoped that the South Korean side will properly make arrangements for academics, livelihoods and epidemic prevention, and China will overcome the difficulties with the South Korean side.

Although the controversy is still raging, South Korean officials have shown a positive attitude. The South Korean government announced that it will allocate an additional 4 billion won for the epidemic prevention of Chinese students. South Korean Minister of Education Yu Yinhui also said that the university will provide distance-learning courses for Chinese students to ensure that they get enough credits.

The mayor of Seoul, Park Won-sun, said publicly that some people have an antipathy and vigilance towards Chinese students. This is just like the new crown virus, which is another virus that needs to be overcome.

Reporter: Zeng Yan