Consumer affairs experts advocated that the upcoming government should guarantee consumers’ participation in the policy formulation process and expand consumers’ rights of access to information and delivered this message to Presidential candidates Park Geun-hye and Moon Jae-in.
The experts expressed such an opinion at a seminar hosted by the KNCCO to develop proposals on consumer policies. The seminar was held at 10:00 AM on November 7 in Ferrum Hall, 3rd floor, Ferrum Tower, Seoul, with 150-plus people in attendance, including those from Presidential candidate camps, consumer organizations, government institutions, academic circles, legal circles, and businesses.
KNOCC (Korea National Council of Consumer Organizations) Chairperson Kim Yeon-hwa, who made a policy proposal, asked the upcoming government and the two leading Presidential candidates for the following ten items: ① stable supply of safe foods, ② securing of consumers’ safety and convenience in everyday life, ③ overhaul of policies and systems related to price stabilization, ④ rationalization of the energy price structure, ⑤ securing of consumers’ rights in the era of digital technology, ⑥ protection of consumers in the financial sector, ⑦ reinforcement of compensation for loss incurred by consumers, ⑧ enhancement of consumers’ convenience and safety in medical service, ⑨ coping with climate changes and provision of support for sustainable production and consumption, and ⑩ overhaul of the administrative system in a consumer-friendly way. She placed emphatic stress on the need to expand consumers’ rights of participation in policy-making and access to information.
In the panel discussion held after the announcement of the KNCCO’s policy proposals, panelists pointed a need for the following: reform in distribution, adoption of punitive damages, expansion of class action lawsuits, invigoration of the Consumer Policy Committee, formation of the basis for consumers’ rights and interests, and expansion of consumers’ rights of access to information.
Song Bo-gyeong, director of Consumers Korea, who took part in the discussion as a representative of consumers said, “Consumer affairs are the basis of the politics. Those in charge of consumer affairs should have a perspective free from the “me-first” attitude. Reforms in distribution are required for adopting a transparent price structure. Current discussions about legality or fairness ring hollow amid the lack of balance concerning information and power among the government, businesses, and consumers. To put an end to safety-related disputes, the government should carry out tight control and supervision of businesses, take precautionary measures, hold businesses responsible for the cause, and allow consumers to take part in control and supervision of businesses.”
Professor Yeo Jeong-seong at Seoul National University, who took part in the discussion as a representative of academic circles, stated, “Many people think that consumer policies are handled only for the good of consumers. First and foremost, we should understand that the objective of consumer policies is to foster an environment in which businesses and consumers fulfill their respective duties based on fair rules.”
Mr. Park Hyeong-yeon, the Principal Attorney at Law Firm Chorus, took part in the discussion as a representative of legal circles. He observed, “More advanced countries, including the United States, have adopted punitive damages and class action lawsuits. Thus, consumers find it easier to get compensated for their loss. This makes businesses reinforce their quality control. We need to start discussing the adoption of them in South Korea.”
Ms. Nam-Yun In-sun, the Chair of the Consumer Rights Special Committee representing the camp of Presidential candidate Moon Jae-in, said as follows, “Consumer-related matters cover wide-ranging aspects that need to be handled by diverse government ministries. Accordingly, decisions on them need to be made on a level higher than the Fair Trade Commission. In the market, there is an endless flow of goods concerning which individuals consumers find it difficult to get accurate information. We will do our best to expand consumers’ rights, including the right of access to information to help them enjoy their four basic rights, i.e., right to safety, right to know, right to select, and right to express opinions.
Mr. Seo Dong-won, a member of the Economic Democratization Promotion Committee who took part in the discussion representing the camp of Presidential candidate Park Geun-hye said, “We will come up with a way of reflecting consumers’ opinions in the policy through periodic sessions of the Consumer Policy Committee and policy collaboration with the relevant ministries. Punitive measures taken by the Fair Trade Commission against businesses have failed to result in compensation of losses incurred by consumers or expansion of consumer’s rights or interests. We will take a remedial step in this regard.”
Ms. Kim Cheon-ju, Chair of the National Council of Homemakers’ Classes, who served as the Presider at the discussion said, “We saw that many campaign pledges remained unkempt after election. Consumers should monitor to ensure that elected politicians deliver on their campaign promises.”
The KNCCO plans to concretize the items proposed at the seminar and continue to ask the upcoming government to adopt them as its policy, while using them as basic materials for its activities.
