Direct Purchase Regulation Opposition Consumers Association Rally
"Announcement Without Clear Legal Basis"
Participants of the rally against direct purchase regulations held near the Government Seoul Office Building on the 25th are holding up placards. [Photo by Consumer Association Against Direct Purchase Regulations]
A rally opposing the government's regulations on overseas direct purchases (direct import) was held in downtown Seoul on the 25th.
The Direct Import Regulation Opposition Consumers Association (hereinafter referred to as the Consumers Association) held a 'Rally Against Direct Import Regulations' near the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the same day. According to the organizers, about 700 people participated in the rally. They condemned the government over the confusion caused by the recent announcement of the 'Measures to Strengthen Consumer Safety and Enhance Corporate Competitiveness Due to the Surge in Overseas Direct Purchases.'
The Consumers Association stated, "The policy restricting the basic rights of the people was unilaterally announced without clear legal grounds," and criticized, "According to the government's explanation, this serious breach of public service discipline occurred where even the president, the head of the executive branch, and the Korea Customs Service, the frontline agency implementing the policy, were unaware of the policy's decision and announcement."
They continued, "Due to this confusion, it is impossible to have an accurate understanding of what policies the government will pursue regarding overseas direct purchases," and pointed out, "Currently, small and medium-sized enterprises that necessarily import overseas goods are at a crossroads of survival."
Participants of the rally against direct purchase regulations held near the Government Seoul Office Building on the 25th are holding up placards. [Photo by Consumer Association Against Direct Purchase Regulations]
The Presidential Office officially apologized on the 20th after confusion arose from the government's announcement of overseas direct purchase regulation measures.
In a statement, the Consumers Association acknowledged responsibility for the policy confusion and apologized, while demanding that the government officially promise not to reintroduce regulations that infringe on consumer rights, including restrictions on direct imports.
In this regard, Professor Eunhee Lee of Inha University's Department of Consumer Studies said, "Safety regulations on overseas direct purchases fundamentally block the attempts of overseas direct purchase consumers who have been purchasing affordable products by searching extensively amid high inflation, excessively restricting consumers' right to choose."
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