(image: KobizMedia/ Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jul. 10 (Korea Bizwire) — A series of new measures to protect consumers is being pushed forth by the Consumer Policy Committee overlooked by the central government.
One such measure follows efforts to protect the rights of smartphone consumers.
As of present, the warranty period for smartphones guaranteed by smartphone producers such as Samsung Electronics and LG is one year following purchase.
This is a subject of significant debate because in many countries, the warranty period is two years for the same phone models.
Therefore, the committee has advised phone producers to extend the warranty period from the current one year to two.
In the medical sector, the committee has advised the Ministry of Health and Welfare to consider revealing information on medical professionals who have been penalized for various reasons in the past.
The committee stated that because the information is currently not open to the public, it goes against the public’s right to know, often resulting in harm for certain medical patients.
In the telecommunications arena, the committee has asked the Korea Communications Commission to make improvements to the process that is associated with “term agreements” that all online users must click in order to create an ID to access a website or make online purchases.
At times, consumers are unknowingly ushered into accepting clauses that give companies rights to provide marketing services.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
