SMEs ministry vows to probe platform fees after hearing merchant grievances

The SMEs ministry said Tuesday it will investigate the total management burdens faced by small merchants on online platforms, including commissions and advertising costs, after hearing direct complaints about unfair trade practices.

Vice Minister Lee Byeong-kwon emphasized the need for platforms and merchants to operate as equal partners during a meeting held Monday at the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business in Seoul. "Platforms and merchants must establish a transparent and fair trading environment to survive as equal cooperative partners," Lee said.

Representatives from the food service, accommodation, and real estate brokerage sectors attended the session to detail specific grievances. They cited opaque platform policies, noting that advertising has become effectively mandatory due to excessive inducements. They also reported that refund and return costs are often shifted to them regardless of consumer fault, while unilateral penalties imposed by platforms can damage a merchant's reputation without proper verification.

In response, Lee outlined a concrete roadmap that includes surveying the actual state of platforms regarding intermediary commissions, advertising fees, and delivery charges. He added that the ministry plans to institutionalize a "Platform Co-growth Index Evaluation" to quantitatively assess the level of cooperation between platforms and merchants.

Lee committed to guaranteeing data sovereignty for small business owners, allowing them to directly utilize assets accumulated during their operations. He stated the ministry would collaborate with the Fair Trade Commission to take swift action when merchants suffer unfair damages. The ministry pledged to actively reflect the voices gathered from the field into future policies and maintain continuous communication with both the small business and platform industries.