Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce Transactions in South Korea

Overview

The following provisions outline the regulations governing electronic commerce and mail order transactions in South Korea, focusing on consumer protection.

Cancellation of Orders

• Consumers have the right to cancel orders within a certain period.
• However, consumers must bear the cost of returning goods upon cancellation.
• Cancellation Period: The specific duration of the cancellation period is not specified in this excerpt.

Restrictions on Cancellation

In certain cases, consumers are not allowed to cancel orders without the consent of the mail order distributor:

• When goods have been destroyed or damaged due to consumer use.
• Examples of such scenarios include:
  • Goods that have been physically altered or tampered with by the consumer.
  • Products that have been used beyond their intended scope.

Responsibilities of Mail Order Brokers

Mail order brokers are jointly and severally responsible for damages inflicted by the person who requested the brokerage:

• This provision holds mail order brokers accountable for any harm caused to third parties as a result of their services.
• The extent of liability may vary depending on the specific circumstances of each case.

Prohibited Conduct

Electronic commerce business operators and mail order distributors are prohibited from engaging in the following practices:

• Deceptive Practices: Making false or misleading representations about goods or services.
• Interfering with cancellation or termination of orders without a valid reason.
• Forcing consumers to buy goods or services without their consent.

By highlighting these provisions, it becomes clear that consumer protection is a crucial aspect of electronic commerce transactions in South Korea. These regulations aim to ensure that consumers have fair rights and responsibilities when dealing with online businesses.