Politics · South Korea · 7 hrs ago
South Korea proposes rules against online shopping cancellation barriers
South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission has proposed guidance against online shopping barriers that make it harder to leave a service or cancel a purchase.
The draft says a shopping site could violate the law if its sign-up button is easy to find but its account-withdrawal button is hidden.
It also identifies unnecessary identity checks as a potential violation when shoppers must provide verification during cancellation or withdrawal that was not required when they signed up or bought something.
Sites could also be in violation if they require shoppers to answer a cancellation survey before they can proceed.
For made-to-order goods, returns can be restricted only under a narrow condition: allowing a return must be expected to cause the business serious, irreparable harm.
The commission also recommends displaying business details, such as an address and phone number, where shoppers can find them without excessive scrolling.
The draft is open for comment until November 26, after which the commission plans to finalize it following consultation with other government agencies.
South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission proposed rules against online shopping practices that make it difficult to cancel orders or leave memberships.
The proposed guidance treats hiding a membership withdrawal button or demanding unnecessary extra identity checks as potential violations of e-commerce law.
It also identifies mandatory cancellation or withdrawal surveys as possible barriers.
The guidance says made-to-order goods can be excluded from cancellation only when a return would cause the seller serious, irreparable harm.
The commission will finalize the changes after public notice and consultation with relevant government agencies.
- Who
- South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission proposed the revised guidance for online shopping businesses.
- What
- The proposal sets out practices that may violate e-commerce law by obstructing cancellations, membership withdrawals or contract termination.
- When
- Announced on November 10, 2026. The public notice period runs until November 26.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- To clarify standards on dark patterns, cancellation rights and business information displays, where violations and consumer complaints are frequent.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Fair Trade Commission announced the proposed revisions and opened a public notice period.
The public notice period is due to end.
The commission plans to finalize and implement the revised guidance.
- Public notice deadline
- November 26, 2026
- Withdrawal button
- Should be placed on the login first screen or directly linked pages such as “My Page” or account management
- Extra verification
- Unnecessary phone, automated response system or email checks may be treated as a violation
- Made-to-order returns
- Cancellation may be restricted only if allowing it is expected to cause serious, irreparable harm to the business
- Business information
- The commission recommends designing the main screen so consumers do not need to scroll excessively to find details such as address and phone number
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What people are saying
Made to order after a pre-order, so returns are not possible