Blue House National Security Council: “Realistically impossible… Apologize for causing confusion to the public”,
Lee Jung-won, Vice Minister of the National Security Office, giving additional briefing on overseas direct purchases at the government Seoul Office on May 19. Yonhap News,
, ‘Vice Minister Lee Jung-won of the National Security Council apologized for causing confusion to the public regarding the controversy over the ban on overseas direct purchases of uncertified products under the government’s national certification mark (KC) policy. Just three days after the announcement, the policy was practically withdrawn.’,
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, ‘Vice Minister Lee held an additional briefing on ‘Enhancing consumer safety in overseas direct purchases and improving corporate competitiveness’ at the government Seoul Office that day, stating, “It is not realistic to entirely block or prohibit the overseas direct purchase of 80 specific items all at once in advance” and emphasized that “there is no reason to block or cannot block the unneeded products and that the government’s clear position is to provide intensive hazard assessments for public safety.” It was explained that next month, the Korea Customs Service, Ministry of Industry, and Ministry of Environment will conduct hazard assessments on 80 items, and only specific products with identified problems will have their overseas direct purchases blocked, while other items can still be purchased as usual.’,
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, ‘Regarding the KC certification, which was presented as a safety standard for overseas direct purchase items, the government stated, “Since the KC certification is not the only method, we will carefully review various opinions through consultations in the future.”‘,
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, ‘Previously, on the 16th, the government announced a plan to strengthen consumer safety in overseas direct purchases and enhance corporate competitiveness by banning overseas direct purchases of 80 items such as △products for children’s use △electric and household goods with fire and accident risks △household chemical products with serious concerns of harmful substance exposure, if not certified for domestic safety. However, criticism arose mainly online about ‘restricting people’s choices.”’