Korean-made KF94 masks are growingly popular in the U.S. because of comfort and efficiency. The photo above is of KF94 masks for sale at a supermarket in Korea. (Yonhap News)

By Lee Kyoung Mi and Lee Jihae

Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Feb. 9 said that with the Biden administration of the U.S. stressing the wearing of masks, Korean-made KF94 masks are growing in popularity in America.

He said this at a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters in Government Complex-Sejong.

The prime minister quoted leading U.S. media and infection experts as heaping praise on KF94 masks for their comfort while worn and efficiency.

The KF94 masks are intended for health purposes, with KF standing for "Korea Filter" and the number for how the masks block out 94% of fine dust and viruses.

American media and infection experts have recently paid attention to such masks.

The U.S. TV network CBS on Feb. 1 said the National Center for Biotechnology Information in a study found that N95 and KF94 masks were both equally effective. The daily USA Today on Jan. 26 said KF94s were good alternatives to N95s since the latter's low supply means they should go to front-line health care workers.

Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, a professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, on Jan. 24 tweeted praise for Korea's KF94 masks. (Screen capture from Dr. Feigl-Ding's Twitter account)

Dr. Eric Feigl-Ding, a public health epidemiologist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, on Jan. 24 tweeted, "My favorite premium mask is the South Korea made KF94 that everyone wears there," adding, "It has a folding system that leaves more space for your mouth – so much that you forget you're wearing a mask when you're speaking!"

Tara Parker-Pope, a health columnist for The New York Times, wrote in a column posted on Jan. 21, "I've just bought a new set of masks called KF94s that I really like. They fit well, have added flaps to close gaps around the face and include a moldable band to tighten the fit around the bridge of the nose."

She added that they are affordable and easily purchasable online.

Europe is also acknowledging the efficiency of KF94 masks.

Austria requires the wearing of medical masks in public places to prevent the spread of COVID-19. On Feb. 3, its government recognized KF94 as a standard mask after verification. 

Earlier on Jan. 21, the German state of Bavaria adopted KF94 as a standard for wearing along with those of Europe (FFP2), the U.S. (N95) and China (KN95).

 
km137426@korea.kr