Republic of Korea: Announced Bill amending Electronic Commerce Act including local operations requirement

On 26 March 2023, the Fair Trade Commission announced that it would prepare a partial amendment to the Act on the Protection of Consumers in Electronic Commerce (Electronic Commerce Act). The Bill would require overseas businesses operating in Korea that don't have an address in Korea to designate a domestic agent. These domestic representatives will be limited to those who have an address or sales office in Korea so that consumer damage prevention and protection can be carried out. Their name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of domestic representatives will be disclosed on Internet sites so that consumers can easily identify them. The Bill specifies that if a domestic agent does not fulfil its obligations, the business operator who designated a domestic agent becomes subject to measures and fines.