Yangpyeong County Rules Out Garbage Bag Price Increase… "Urges Restraint from Hoarding"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Um In-yong] Regarding recent concerns over supply instability for garbage bags, Yangpyeong County stated on the 30th that "there are no plans for price increases whatsoever, and we are doing our utmost to maintain stable supply," calling for the public to respond calmly.

The county explained that content circulating primarily through local online communities regarding 'garbage bag supply suspension and price spikes' is merely rumor and not factual.

In particular, any increase in garbage bag prices would require ordinance amendments, necessitating legal procedures including legislative notice and county council deliberation.

Accordingly, the county's position is that any sudden price hike proposed in a short timeframe is structurally impossible.

Additionally, temporary out-of-stock situations appearing in some marts and convenience stores are not viewed as actual supply interruptions, but rather as the effect of 'psychological hoarding' driven by unconfirmed rumors.

It is analyzed that excessive purchases concentrated at specific times have rapidly depleted retailer inventory.

To minimize inconvenience to residents and stabilize the market, the county is concentrating administrative efforts on distribution management, flexibly adjusting inventory per sales outlet, preventing concentrated demand at specific stores, and recommending 'purchase quantity limits per person' at designated retailers to establish distribution order.

County Governor Jeon Jin-seon stated, "The recently raised rumors about bags prices skyrocketing and production stopping are completely unfounded, and we are managing supplies in close cooperation with manufacturers to ensure uninterrupted distribution."

He continued, "Temporary shortages are occurring due to some hoarding," and said, "Excessive purchases can cause inconvenience to neighbors who need to purchase garbage bags at necessary times, so we hope citizens will participate in market stabilization with mature civic consciousness by purchasing only the quantities needed."