In a recent survey by the state-run Korea Internet and Security Agency, more than four out of every 10 Internet users surveyed said they have made at least one direct purchase from an overseas site. (image credit: Kobiz Media)
SEJONG, Jan. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – The South Korean government said Thursday it will publish a list of overseas Internet shopping sites that have repeated records of customer complaints, a move aimed at protecting local consumers.
The move comes as part of a three-year government policy directive that will be effective from this year.
Under the directive, approved at a policy coordination meeting earlier in the day, the Fair Trade Commission will monitor overseas-based shopping sites that have caused problems for local customers.
The number of people making direct purchases from foreign manufacturers or online shops has been increasing steadily over the recent years as more people seek to save money by bypassing local importers and distributors, who often add a significant amount of service charges to the original product price.
In a recent survey by the state-run Korea Internet and Security Agency, more than four out of every 10 Internet users surveyed said they have made at least one direct purchase from an overseas site.
However, 56.6 percent of those who made such purchases said they had experienced inconveniences or suffered a financial loss in the process.
The commission said it will work with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law to set compensation for any monetary damages to local consumers since overseas shopping sites are not subject to punishment under local laws.
The directive also includes imposing fines for automakers that fail to carry out voluntary and timely recalls on their vehicles that are found to have problems.
