Consumer Agency to Mediate Collective Dispute in Merge Point Incident

Last month, subscribers demanding refunds gathered at the headquarters of 'Merge Point' located in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The Korea Consumer Agency is pursuing collective dispute mediation regarding the large-scale refund suspension incident of Merge Point.

On the 9th, a representative from the Consumer Agency stated, "We have applied for collective dispute mediation for about 2,000 consultations related to Merge Point," and added, "(Consultations) are being continuously transferred as they are received."

The Consumer Agency judged that the number of consultations received was large and that the matter needed to be handled promptly, so it directly applied to the mediation committee. From the outbreak of the Merge Point incident on the 11th of last month until the 6th of this month, the number of related consultations received by the Consumer Agency reached 17,158.

The Consumer Dispute Mediation Committee will discuss whether to initiate the collective dispute mediation procedure. If it decides to proceed, it must announce this on its official website or in daily newspapers. Afterwards, it must investigate the facts and prepare a mediation proposal within 30 days from the start date. If consumers or Merge Plus reject the mediation proposal, consumers must file separate civil lawsuits.

Previously, Merge Plus had been selling Merge Points, a prepaid recharge credit, promoting an unlimited 20% discount, but on the night of the 11th of last month, it suspended point sales and reduced the places where points could be used.