SEOUL, June 8 (Korea Bizwire) — Convenience store chain GS25 said Monday that it will launch the trial operation of unmanned alcohol vending machines at some of its night-time unmanned stores from late this month.
Thanks to so-called sandbox regulatory measures, which are exempted from strict regulations, it became possible to install alcohol vending machine at general restaurants from the end of last year.
GS25 will carry out the test-run in collaboration with local startup Phasecommu, an Internet-of-Things (IoT)-based smart vending machine maker that was designated last month as a regulatory special case for the demonstration of an unmanned alcohol vending machine.
To use Phasecommu’s alcohol vending machine, a customer needs to input a QR code on the vending machine’s scanner. The QR code is issued after adult certification through a mobile app.
After testing the operation of unmanned alcohol vending machines at its hybrid stores in Seoul, GS25 plans to introduce alcohol vending machines at unmanned stores if related laws are amended.
Image Credit: GS Retail Co. / Yonhap News TV / photonews@koreabizwire.com
