Visually Impaired File Discrimination Lawsuit Against Online Mall... 2nd Trial Cancels 1st Trial's Compensation Payment

In a damages lawsuit filed by visually impaired individuals seeking compensation for discrimination in information access against large online shopping malls selling essential daily goods, the appellate court upheld the first-instance ruling ordering the shopping malls to improve their services but did not recognize monetary payment liability.

Seoul High Court.

On the morning of the 8th, the 16th Civil Division of the Seoul High Court (Presiding Judge Kim In-gyeom) partially ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed by 960 visually impaired individuals, including Mr. Lim, demanding a total payment of over 5.7 billion won from Emart, eBay Korea, and Lotte Shopping.

The court stated, "the monetary payment portion upheld in the first trial is hereby overturned." However, the first-instance judgment requiring the provision of information through screen readers was maintained.

Earlier, in September 2017, 963 visually impaired individuals, including Mr. Lim, filed a lawsuit against three companies including Emart, claiming "discrimination in the use of shopping malls due to insufficient consideration for the visually impaired." The claimed compensation was 2 million won per person, totaling approximately 5.7 billion won for the three companies combined.

Mr. Lim and others argued, "Delivery services from internet shopping malls to homes are especially necessary for visually impaired people who have difficulty walking, but it is not easy for visually impaired individuals to access and purchase from the sites," adding, "Non-visually impaired people receive benefits that we do not, which feels like discrimination."

The first trial ruled that "Emart and eBay Korea must pay 100,000 won each to the plaintiffs, and Lotte Shopping must pay between 100,000 and 170,000 won." The total compensation amounted to 300 million won. The court also ordered Emart, eBay Korea, and Lotte Shopping to provide information on all transaction products and item details through screen readers on their respective shopping mall websites within six months for the visually impaired.