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Police investigate four companies for hoarding medical syringes amid ongoing shortage

Published: 27 Apr. 2026, 21:45

Only a single box of 20cc syringes remains at a medical device shop in Seoul on April 7. [YONHAP]

Police announced on Monday that they have launched an investigation into four companies suspected of hoarding medical syringes in violation of a government ban amid a shortage caused by the Middle East conflict.

The four were among 32 companies caught during a special crackdown by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to ensure compliance with the government measure recently adopted amid concerns about shortages prompted by the war in the Middle East.

The prolonged war is disrupting naphtha supplies, limiting the production of essential medical supplies such as syringes and intravenous bags.

The Food Ministry referred the four companies to the police after confirming they were in violation of the ban, and each case was assigned to the police station with jurisdiction, according to the National Office of Investigation under the National Police Agency.

On Saturday, President Lee Jae Myung addressed the issue in a post on X, saying he has instructed the Cabinet to take "maximum" measures in the event violations are found, including swift investigations and punishment, as well as maximum administrative sanctions.

Yonhap