Eesun Kwon

In November 2023, the National Tax Service (NTS) commissioned the Korea Institute of Public Finance to conduct research on online liquor sales and related regulations in foreign countries. The research report has since been submitted to NTS (please refer to December 2023 CGR PG Newsletter). The report highlights Korea's relatively lax alcohol regulations compared to other OECD countries, potentially leading to heightened alcohol accessibility.

1. Stricter regulation of online dark patterns To address the rise of online dark patterns, the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce, etc. (hereinafter referred to as the “E-Commerce Act”) has undergone revisions, which will take effect on February 14, 2025. The dark patterns are marketing tactics which may mislead consumers into irrational spending, prompting concerns for consumer protection.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (“MOTIE”) has introduced amendments to the Foreign Trade Management Regulations, effective March 8, 2024, aiming to address deficiencies in labeling methods and origin determination for domestically produced goods. Key revisions include: 1. Elimination of Regional Origin Indication: Previously, regional names could be displayed alongside country names in certain cases. To avoid confusion, the regulations now require displaying the country names only. 2.