[REVISION HISTORY]
South Korean delivery app fee and consumer disputes
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2026-09-21 08:10 UTC → 2026-10-12 15:43 UTC ·
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South Korean delivery app fee and consumer disputes
Small business owners in South Korea are reporting continue to report significant financial strain due to delivery app fees. A survey by the Korea Federation of SMEs found that transaction costs for these merchants can exceed 26% of monthly revenue, with some businesses spending as much as 45%. Respondents indicated that existing commission systems are largely ineffective, leading to calls for a total commission cap and the enactment of an Online Platform Fairness Act. In response to these pressures, response, the South Korean Fair Trade Commission (FTC) has signaled its intent to pursue is pursuing legislation aimed at lowering delivery app to lower commissions and advertising fees. fees, noting the market has reached saturation. FTC Chairperson Joo Byung-gi noted that the delivery app market has reached saturation and criticized expressed regret over court decisions that suspended field investigations into companies like Coupang, stating such stays neutralize the excessive burden placed on merchants. Additionally, agency’s oversight. To counter this, the FTC is seeking to strengthen its oversight capabilities. The agency is considering regulatory amendments to prevent companies from using legal maneuvers to evade field investigations and plans to launch an Economic Analysis Bureau to address anti-competitive behaviors such as data monopolies and algorithmic self-preferencing. Pressure on platforms has also expanded to consumer concerns. Data from the Korea Consumer Agency shows a more than threefold increase in consumer consultations regarding food delivery platforms between 2021 and August 2024. Major players including Baedal Minjok, Coupang Eats, and Yogiyo face scrutiny. During a National Assembly audit, Baedal Minjok executives admitted to using an integrated dispatch system that combines ‘single-order delivery’ with ‘economical delivery’ without clearly communicating to users that premium requests could cause delays for economical service. Furthermore, the FTC is investigating allegations that Baedal Minjok’s ‘Promotion Only’ policy unfairly restricts partner merchants from participating in discount events on competing apps.
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- 2026-10-12 15:43 UTC South Korean delivery app fee and consumer disputes
- 2026-09-21 08:10 UTC South Korean delivery app fee disputes
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