Flyer Distribution in Uijeongbu, Gyeonggi
"Additional Delivery Fee Increase Is Unreasonable"
"Let's Use the Public App 'Baedal Teukgeup'" Appeal
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] Small-scale delivery agencies in the Uijeongbu area of Gyeonggi Province have declared a 'boycott' of Baedal Minjok. They claim that Baedal Minjok's single-delivery service has raised delivery fees, causing harm to self-employed business owners and consumers. They urged joint action to use 'Baedal Teukgeup,' Gyeonggi Province's public delivery application (app).
According to the delivery industry on the 12th, some local delivery agencies based in Uijeongbu recently distributed flyers titled "Who is Encouraging the Increase in Delivery Fees?" They argued, "Baemin1 (Baedal Minjok's single-delivery service) is offering twice the average delivery fee, feverishly securing riders and throwing the local delivery ecosystem into chaos."
They said that the wage increase for Baemin1 riders triggered a chain reaction of delivery fee hikes, which were passed on through food price increases, causing damage to both franchise restaurants and consumers.
They explained that platform companies such as Baedal Minjok and Coupang Eats have mobilized their financial power to recruit riders independently, making it inevitable for small delivery agencies to raise delivery fees.
In particular, they stated, "Delivery fees were already raised from 3,500 won to 4,000 won in April this year," adding, "An additional increase from here is neither reasonable nor just."
They called for joint action to counter the tyranny of giant platforms using Baedal Teukgeup, implemented by Gyeonggi Province and Uijeongbu, as a weapon, appealing for active participation from restaurant owners, Uijeongbu consumers, and awakened citizens.
They further requested, "If Baedal Teukgeup's market share exceeds 50%, it will itself serve as a check on giant platform companies," and urged people to join the joint action favoring Baedal Teukgeup.
Baedal Teukgeup is a public delivery app operated by Gyeonggi Province, launched last April through 'Gyeonggi-do Corporation' when Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, was governor of Gyeonggi Province.
It has the advantage of a low brokerage fee of 1% of sales paid by restaurant owners and allows the use of local currency, providing consumers with discount benefits.
Meanwhile, regarding the recent issue of delivery fee increases, President Moon Jae-in instructed to "accurately grasp the current status of fees."
On the 8th, during an internal meeting at the Blue House, President Moon ordered, "Check whether the fee increase places an excessive burden on small-scale tenant businesses and whether the benefits of the increase go to delivery riders," according to Blue House spokesperson Park Kyung-mi.
Some interpret President Moon's directive as a move to support candidate Lee.
An industry insider said, "This is the first time there has been a public declaration of boycott against a specific delivery app," explaining, "Resistance from delivery agencies against giant platform companies is intensifying."
The insider added, "President Moon's directive seems to cover the entire delivery ecosystem, including single-delivery, delivery app advertising fees, and delivery agency commissions."
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