[2025 Audit] Only One Product Deemed "Ineligible" by Public Home Shopping... Han Sung-sook Calls for Verification Committee Reform

Assemblyman Kang Seungkyu: "Straying from the Public Purpose"
"Focusing on Sales Rather Than Selling SME Products"

It has been revealed that the Public Home Shopping's Broadcast Product Verification Committee has issued only one "ineligible" verdict regarding SME products over the past six years.

On the 29th, during the parliamentary audit by the Industry, Trade, and SMEs Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Assemblyman Kim Sungwon of the People Power Party pointed out, "All members of the committee are internal members of Public Home Shopping," and added, "These members are inevitably focused on increasing sales rather than verifying whether the products sold are actually SME products. I question whether this aligns with the original purpose of Public Home Shopping."

Hansung Sook, Minister of SMEs and Startups, is responding to committee members' questions during the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups held at the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, and SMEs Committee on the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News

Public Home Shopping verifies whether products are from SMEs through the Broadcast Product Verification Committee. According to Assemblyman Kim, from 2019 to 2025, the committee issued only one "ineligible" verdict.

Minister Han stated, "If Public Home Shopping operates just like private home shopping companies that focus on increasing sales, we must question the reason for its existence," and added, "We will clarify the standards and ensure the committee is properly formed and operated."

Minister Han also addressed the review of issuing treasury shares by Public Home Shopping, saying, "Rather than privatization, I believe this is a policy review aimed at creating a new T-commerce platform," and added, "As this matter requires approval from the supervising ministry (the Ministry of SMEs and Startups), I do not think such a review is appropriate." The establishment of a T-commerce channel dedicated to small business owners was one of President Lee Jaemyung's campaign pledges.

She continued, "Since the CEO position at Public Home Shopping is currently vacant, we will ensure that a qualified expert is appointed to implement proper changes," and added, "We will emphasize the public nature of the company and improve it to create more sales opportunities for small business owners, such as young entrepreneurs and local creators."