Masks can now be sent by Koreans to foreign relatives

Economy

Published: 24 Jun. 2020, 18:04 Updated: 24 Jun. 2020, 18:05

Masks can now be sent by Koreans to foreign relatives

An Emart employee hands out a box of anti-droplet facial masks to a customer at the retailer's branch in Seongsu-dong, eastern Seoul, on Wednesday. The anti-droplet masks are said to be lighter than the KF94 masks, making it easier to breathe. Each customer is limited to 20 masks, which cost 500 won ($0.42) a piece. [YONHAP]

Koreans can now send masks to relatives overseas even if the recipient is not Korean, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

Previously, the masks could only be send to Korean citizen relatives.

Since March, the export of masks manufactured in Korea has been prohibited, as the supply was needed domestically.

Under the new policy, which will take effect Thursday, people will be able to send face masks to family members with non-South Korean citizenship, including Koreans adopted overseas, as well as parents and children of those who immigrated to Korea via marriage.

According to the government, the decision was made because of demands by Koreans wishing to send more masks to their family members living abroad where face mask supplies are insufficient.

The supply of masks in Korea has been stable recently, and this allowed the government to be more flexible.

People wishing to send masks to other countries are required to bring documents that verify their identity, such as their resident registration or passport, as well as certificates that prove their relationship to the recipient, such as a marriage certificate, when visiting the post office to mail the masks.

In the case of Korean adoptees, they will need to provide an adoption certificate issued by the National Center for the Rights of the Child.

Documents must be either in Korean or English.

On March 24, the government allowed individuals to send local face masks to their relatives overseas.

According to Korea Customs Service, more than 5.02 million masks were sent to family members living overseas between March 24 and June 19.

BY CHEA SARAH, BAEK MIN-JEONG [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]