Baemin and Coupang Eats, delivery app companies, agreed to provide temporary direct support for small business owners struggling from the fallout of the Middle East war. However, they decided to hold further discussions on the overall fee structure, including the specific scale of support.

Participants including Min Byung-deok, Democratic Party of Korea Euljiro Committee Chair, pose for a commemorative photo at the launch ceremony and first meeting of the delivery app social dialogue body to ease commission fees for store partners and delivery costs, held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 10th./Courtesy of News1

The Democratic Party of Korea Euljiro Committee held a launch ceremony for a social dialogue body to ease delivery app fee structures and delivery cost burdens and convened its first meeting at the National Assembly on the morning of the 10th. Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Lee Kang-il said of the meeting's outcome, "To overcome the situation in which self-employed and small business owners are struggling due to the Middle East war, Baemin and Coupang Eats agreed to provide direct support on a temporary basis."

Lee added, "One company presented a certain level, and the other asked for time," and said, "They said they would present the scale of support for small business owners by next week."

Kim Nam-geun, a member of the Euljiro Committee, said, "There is no disagreement about expanding the segment for small self-employed businesses that currently pay a 2% fee from the bottom 20% by sales to 30%, and broadening the scope for applying the minimum 2.0% fee."

Currently, the system imposes ▲7.8% on the top 35% of businesses by sales ▲6.8% on the middle tier of 35%–80% ▲2.0% on the bottom 20%.

However, the committee will hold additional discussions on the overall fee overhaul. The Euljiro Committee plans to expand the delivery distance standard from a single band to one or two bands so businesses can choose. The second meeting is scheduled for two weeks from now.

Kim said, "We are discussing a plan to move away from the single 4-kilometer delivery distance standard, which (self-employed businesses could not choose), and divide it into multiple bands so they can choose," adding, "We are narrowing differences and continuing discussions on fees and delivery charges."

Some groups, including the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise (KFME) and the National Association of Merchants, did not attend. On this, Lee said, "Small business organizations or self-employed groups are important, but what matters most are the voices of the parties involved," adding, "The key is how well we represent those affected by the delivery app structure." Lee continued, "We will work to incorporate all opinions."

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