The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) on the 3rd issued a damage-prevention advisory for airline tickets, parcel delivery, and health supplements, for which transactions are expected to increase during the Lunar New Year holiday.
According to the Consumer Agency, from 2023 to last year, the number of damage-relief cases received by the agency in January–February around the Lunar New Year holiday totaled 1,586 over three years. Among these, by field, airline tickets accounted for the most at 16.4% (262 cases), followed by health supplements at 19.0% (301 cases) and parcel delivery at 16.2% (256 cases).
By type of damage, for airline tickets, harms have surged as purchases through online travel agencies (OTAs) have increased, with many cases involving excessive penalties upon cancellation and flight delays or cancellations. For parcel delivery, damaged or lost items and delivery delays were issues, while for health supplements, high-pressure tactics offering free trials to older adults and refusals to accept withdrawals of subscriptions were frequent.
The Consumer Agency said, "Consumers using airline tickets, parcel delivery, and health supplements during the Lunar New Year holiday should review the damage cases and precautions in the advisory to avoid harm," adding, "If damage occurs, consumers can seek counseling or relief through 'Consumer24' (application) or the '1372 Consumer Counseling Center.'"