Seven Companies Including Bungaejangter and Mintit Receive First Certification as Safe Transaction Operators for Used Phones

First "Safe Transaction Operator" Certifications Issued
by the Ministry of Science and ICT for Used Device Market

The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on June 23 that it has certified seven companies as "Safe Transaction Operators" for the first time since the implementation of the "Certified Safe Transaction Operator System for Used Devices."

The first certified operators are Mintit, Bungaejangter, Likewize Korea, 21segi Jeonpasa, Upstairs, KT M&S, and Medialog, totaling seven companies.

Mobile phone store related to the abolition of the Mobile Phone Special Act. The photo and article content are unrelated. Photo by Yongjun Cho jun21@

The certification review involved both document and on-site inspections by the Korea Association for ICT Promotion (KAIT), the certifying body, as well as deliberations by a certification review committee composed of members from academia, the legal community, research institutions, and consumer organizations. Certified operators may display the certification mark on their websites or offline stores and use it for promotional purposes targeting users.

This certification system, which has been in effect since May 28, certifies used device distribution operators as "Safe Transaction Operators" if they meet basic requirements for user protection, such as establishing procedures for deleting personal information and providing purchase price information by device grade. Companies wishing to be certified can apply through the Used Device Safe Transaction website.

Meanwhile, separately from the certification system, the Ministry of Science and ICT operates a Transaction Confirmation Service to prevent ownership disputes that may arise between sellers and buyers of used devices. When individuals trade used phones, they can obtain a transaction confirmation certificate for free through the Used Device Safe Transaction website. If a buyer who has obtained this certificate is blocked from using the used device due to an unjust loss or theft report, they can request KAIT to lift the usage restriction and continue using the device without issue.

Lee Dogyu, Director General of Telecommunications Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, stated, "With the emergence of the first Safe Transaction Operators for used devices, we expect that more companies will seek certification in the future." He added, "We hope that the activation of this certification system will help the used phone distribution market become more mature and transparent."