September 4, 2024

The Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) and Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) held the 10th Consultative Meeting on Consumer Policy among Korea, China, and Japan at the Lotte Hotel World in Jamsil, Seoul. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the meeting, which has been hosted in rotation by the three countries since it first began in 2004.

Representatives from consumer authorities from all three countries, along with the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat(TCS), took part in the meeting. From Korea, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) and the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA) were present. China was represented by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and China Consumers Association(CCA) while Japan was represented by Consumer Affairs Agency(CAA) and the National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan (NCAC). Officials from these organizations gave presentations on various topics, including consumer market trends and collective consumer dispute resolution systems. The TCS, serving as a cooperative body among the three countries, also participated in the disscussion.

The Consultative Meeting on Consumer Policy among Korea, China and Japan (a director-level conference) has been held every other year since 2004 in rotation between Korea → China → Japan respectively in order to share consumer policies and strengthen cooperation among the three countries. The 10th Consumer Policy Council, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is the first to be held in Korea since the Korea Fair Trade Commission hosted the 7th occasion of the event eight years ago in 2016 at the Sheraton Grand Incheon Hotel in Songdo.

* (7th) July 2016, Incheon, Korea; (8th) December 2019, Shanghai, China; (9th) December 2021, Online, Japan

On this occasion, the meeting was attended by the authorities responsible for consumer policy in each of the three countries, as well as major consumer organizations and groups from each country, which led to more diverse discussions. In the case of Japan, the President of the National Consumer Affairs Center* attended in person and gave a presentation, while in the case of Korea and China, members of major consumer organizations and groups gave presentations on consumer market trends and collective consumer damage settlement systems in each country. The Deputy Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat** also attended and delivered a congratulatory address to attendees. 

* A Japanese government-funded organization dedicated to consumer rights, equivalent to the Korea Consumer Agency.

 ** An intergovernmental organization between Koera, China and japan, established in 2011, with a secretary-general dispatched by the foreign ministry of each country (each country alternates for two years at a time)

 At this year’s meeting, the three countries discussed ① Ways to Strengthen Cooperation on Consumer Policy in Korea, China and Japan, ②Korea, China and Japan’s Consumption Market Trend and Global Cooperation, and ③ the current status and development plans of collective consumer damage settlement systems. In particular, director-level officials from each country directly participated in the presentation on the first agenda item about sharing information on consumer policy and plans for cooperation. It is expected that this meeting will cement the opportunity to promote mutual understanding with the Japanese and Chinese governments and to cooperate more closely on cross-border consumer issues occurring in Northeast Asia. The Fair Trade Commission plans to continue communicating with China and Japan in the future and respond to key consumer policy issues.

Through this meeting, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), together with the Korea Consumer Agency (KCA), aims to enhance mutual understanding with China and Japan, while fostering closer cooperation on cross-border consumer issues arising within the Northeast Asian region. The  KCA and KFTC expect this gathering to serve as a pivotal step toward strengthening collaboration. Moving forward, both organizations plan to maintain ongoing communication with China and Japan to address key consumer policy issues and work together to tackle emerging challenges.