The Consumer Dispute Mediation Committee (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) announced on the 12th that mediation decisions have been partially established in the collective dispute mediation cases related to travel, accommodation, and aviation caused by the large-scale sale payment settlement failure of TMON and WEMAKEPRICE (hereinafter referred to as TIMEP).

Last July, citizens affected by the delay in settlements and refunds are occupying the new TMON building in Gangnam, Seoul, demanding a resolution to the situation. /Courtesy of News1

According to the Committee, the number of businesses that accepted the mediation decision has been finalized at 48 out of 122 businesses (39.3%). Among the 106 sellers including TIMEP, 42 accepted, and 4 out of 14 payment gateway (PG) companies accepted. Previously, on Dec. 13 of last year, the Committee decided that TIMEP would refund 100% of the payment amount, while sellers such as travel agencies would refund up to 90% of the payment amount, and PG companies would refund up to 30% of the payment amount collectively to the affected consumers.

At this time, since TIMEP, which must refund the total payment, is currently undergoing court rehabilitation procedures, compensation for the affected consumers is expected to be difficult. However, 1,745 affected consumers (excluding 30 duplicates) who contracted with the 42 sellers and 4 PG companies that accepted the mediation decision are expected to receive approximately 1.6 billion won in compensation.

Collective dispute mediation is established when both parties accept the mediation decision. At this time, the effect of an agreement in a civil judgment identical to a confirmed judgment occurs.

The Committee plans to prepare mediation establishment notice documents to confirm the acceptance status of sellers and PG companies for each applicant (affected consumer) by the end of February, which will be posted on the Korea Consumer Agency website. Applicants who confirm the mediation establishment notice can receive refunds within the range of compensation multiples through the seller or PG company that accepted the mediation decision.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Agency plans to promote collective consumer lawsuit support for applicants whose rights have not been remedied due to the refusal of acceptance by sellers or PG companies. Affected consumers will be able to apply for lawsuit support through the Consumer Agency's website from the 17th for one month.