Lee Jae-myung's Determination... "Going to Gunsan to Benchmark 'Baedal-ui Myeongsu'"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, announced plans to develop a 'public delivery application (app)' that benefits both small business owners and consumers.

On the 17th, while on his way to Gunsan City, Jeonbuk Province, to benchmark the public delivery app 'Baedal-ui Myeongsu,' Governor Lee promised via Facebook, "We will definitely succeed in the public app that prevents monopoly abuses and benefits both small business owners and consumers."

Baedal-ui Myeongsu has no commission or advertising fees, reducing the burden on small business owners, and users can enjoy a 10% discount when paying with local currency, making it a rising alternative to private delivery apps recently.

Governor Lee recently signed a 'Technical Advisory and Free Trademark Use Agreement for the Public Delivery App Baedal-ui Myeongsu' with Kang Im-jun, Mayor of Gunsan, at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government Situation Room in Suwon.

According to the agreement, the two institutions will form a working-level consultative body and support the transfer of technology for Gunsan City's public delivery app 'Baedal-ui Myeongsu' to 31 cities and counties within the province. They will also establish a close cooperative system to allow free use of the trademark. Furthermore, they will support other metropolitan local governments wishing to introduce the Baedal-ui Myeongsu app by providing related technical advice and free trademark use.

Following the agreement, the province plans to develop a Gyeonggi Province-type public delivery app, entrust its operation to social enterprises, and significantly enhance public nature by organizing riders (delivery workers) and supporting social safety nets.

Earlier, Baedal Minjok announced on the 1st that it would introduce a 'fixed-rate system,' where commissions increase according to sales volume, instead of the 'fixed-amount system' which had a limit on the amount.

After strong backlash from small business owners, Baedal Minjok issued an apology on the 10th, stating, "We deeply apologize once again with a heavy heart to the restaurant owners and the public who are heartbroken and disappointed," and promised, "Following the fee system reform, we have received many suggestions and criticisms from restaurant owners, related organizations, and various sectors, and we will humbly accept them with deep reflection."

Governor Lee welcomed the apology but held a meeting on the 13th at the Gyeonggi Provincial Government with Park Jung-hoon, Chairman of the Rider Union, Lee Sung-jong, Representative of the KCTU Service Federation Platform Labor Solidarity, and other platform delivery labor stakeholders, stating, "It is time for society to pay attention to monopolistic platforms such as delivery apps," and pointed out, "Monopolizing the market and depriving vulnerable groups like platform workers of their achievements does not contribute to normal economic development."

Additionally, on the 14th, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, responded to criticisms that developing a public app would come at a huge cost by saying, "There are rampant 'predictions disguised as predictions' that the public app promoted by Gyeonggi Province will fail at a tremendous cost," and added, "Some may say this out of ignorance or genuine concern, but there are also those who knowingly obstruct and curse."

He emphasized, "The public delivery app will reduce commission and advertising cost burdens for small business owners using local currency, improve treatment and secure safety nets for delivery workers, and secure public interest through the expansion of digital SOC for the nation. With public support and Gyeonggi Province’s local currency distribution network, the conditions for success are sufficient."

Furthermore, he stated, "Contrary to concerns, development and operation will not be handled by public officials but entrusted to the third sector, leveraging private technology and management capabilities to maximize the chances of success by utilizing the strengths of both public and private sectors," and stressed, "While the role of legislation and the Fair Trade Commission should be central in addressing the disruption of free market economic order caused by monopolies, this does not mean that local governments should stand by idly until legislation is passed and the Fair Trade Commission takes action."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.