Consumer Agency Warns of Holiday Spike in Airline, Parcel, and Health Supplement Complaints
Creatrip Team
7 months ago
South Korea’s consumer agency and fair trade commission warned that complaints surge around Lunar New Year (Seollal) holidays in three areas: airline tickets, parcel delivery, and health supplements. Over the past three years, January–February complaints received were: airline tickets 1,218, parcels 166, and health supplements 202—representing roughly 16–19% of total case volume. Airline disputes were mainly contract cancellations (58.3%), flight delays/cancellations (27.1%), and unfair practices (5.3%); consumers are advised to check cancellation and refund fees and monitor travel restrictions. Parcel problems were mostly damage (43.8%), loss (33.1%), and misdelivery/delay (7.1%); agencies recommend allowing extra time before holidays to avoid rush-related issues. Health supplement cases involved cancellation disputes (42.3%), non-delivery/delays (19.9%), and quality or side-effect complaints (19.6%); authorities cautioned against free-trial tactics targeting seniors and urged use of the withdrawal period if not intending to buy. The agencies will continue public guidance and advise victims to seek help via the Consumer24 website or the 1372 consumer hotline.
