Small Business Groups Push for Private Consultative Body with Delivery Platforms to Demand Fee Reforms

Five small business and restaurant industry organizations, including the Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, have decided to form a private consultative body to directly negotiate with delivery platform companies for improvements to fee structures and terms of service.

The Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, the National Federation of Merchants, the Korea Foodservice Industry Association, the Korea Franchise Association, and the National Café Owners Cooperative held a press conference on the afternoon of the 17th at the Korea Federation of SMEs in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and announced a joint statement detailing these plans.

The organizations stated that they will form a "Delivery Platform Private Consultative Body" with major delivery platform companies to develop practical, field-oriented alternatives, such as introducing fair-share fee systems, revising unreasonable terms, and launching coexistence campaigns.

They also demanded that delivery platform companies formulate specific support measures for store owners alongside reasonable fee overhauls, and participate in official talks with the five organizations.

Furthermore, they urged the government and the National Assembly to establish administrative support and institutional foundations so that agreements reached through private consultations can be swiftly implemented in the field.

The organizations argued that following the Fair Trade Commission's dismissal of a consent decree request in June, the fee reductions and damage relief demanded by small business owners have been relegated to legal procedures. They asserted that rather than prolonged legal battles, measures are needed to immediately alleviate cost burdens.

They emphasized that the FTC's imposition of fines or judicial sanctions does not translate into direct compensation for affected small business owners, making a prompt resolution through private consultation necessary.

The five organizations stated that if substantive coexistence measures are not drawn up in the near future, they plan to pursue multi-faceted responses, including legal actions.

(Photo provided by Korea Federation of Micro Enterprise, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.