Hopes for the 22nd National Assembly <上>
7 Associations Form 'Digital Economy Alliance'
"Regulations on Over-the-Counter Medicine and Wine Must Also Be Improved"
"Why can't we buy glasses and contact lenses online?"
There is something that is allowed in the United States, Japan, and China but not in Korea: purchasing glasses and contact lenses online. Prescription glasses, which are classified as medical devices, can only be sold at optical shops staffed by licensed opticians who have passed the national qualification exam.
However, not only reading glasses but also non-prescription colored contact lenses are prohibited from being sold online. In island and mountainous areas without optical shops, people have to travel long distances just to buy a pair of reading glasses. Consumers also have no way to check prices online. This contrasts with platforms like Amazon in the U.S., Rakuten in Japan, and Tmall in China, which already sell glasses and contact lenses online.
The Digital Economy Alliance, composed of seven associations including the Korea Internet Corporations Association, recently published a "22nd General Election Policy Proposal" pleading for deregulation. The proposal contains over 60 policy recommendations necessary for domestic companies to grow into global enterprises. The industry earnestly appeals to the 22nd National Assembly to lift this particular regulation. The total number of member companies in the Digital Economy Alliance reaches approximately 22,000.
In July 2020, the government submitted a revision bill to the Medical Technician Act after conducting a research service. The revision bill included provisions allowing the online sale of "prescription swimming goggles" and "low-prescription magnifying glasses." However, as the 21st National Assembly is coming to an end, the Health and Welfare Committee has yet to properly discuss the bill.
"Prices will drop through online and offline competition"
There is a company that made a huge success by asking one question: "Why are glasses so expensive?" Founded in 2010 by four classmates from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Wabi Parker is considered one of the most innovative companies in the world. Wabi Parker allowed consumers to upload their eyeglass prescriptions and select five frames, which were then delivered free to their homes through online sales. This changed the distribution structure of glasses and lowered prices to about one-fifth of the traditional cost.
Korean startups cannot launch such ideas due to regulations. Companies are requesting that online sales be allowed first for reading glasses and cosmetic contact lenses, which have little impact on the wearer’s health. Ha Myung-jin, Policy Support Director at the Online Shopping Association, said, "This would not only increase public convenience but also promote competition between online and offline channels, leading to lower product prices."
Over-the-counter drugs such as cold medicine, fever reducers, and digestive aids, which are allowed to be sold at convenience stores 24/7, are also not permitted for online sales. This inevitably causes inconvenience in island and mountainous areas without convenience stores or pharmacies. The issue of allowing online sales of alcoholic beverages, which is permitted in most countries including France, Germany, and China, remains unresolved only in Korea. The industry expects that even allowing online sales of relatively low-alcohol and expensive wine products would stimulate price competition and benefit consumer welfare.
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