[2020 National Audit] Park Young-sun on Industry and SMEs Committee?... Repeated Questions on 'Used Car Sales'

Win-Win Open Platform

Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, is speaking at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' audit held by the Industry, Trade, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee at the National Assembly on the 8th.

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] On the 8th, Park Young-sun, Minister of SMEs and Startups, repeatedly questioned witnesses about 'used car sales' during the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' audit held at the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee. She showed great interest by not only answering questions from the committee members but also asking questions herself.

At the Ministry of SMEs and Startups audit that day, Minister Park said, "Since the market has opened, I would like to ask some questions," and inquired to Kim Dong-wook, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company, and Kwak Tae-hoon, Chairman of the Korea Automobile Dealers Association Federation, who appeared as witnesses.

Minister Park said, "I would like to know more specifically to what extent Hyundai Motor is considering the open platform related to used car sales. The Federation must have considerable costs related to after-sales service issues, and if these are shared with Hyundai Motor, there could be a win-win connection," suggesting that the Ministry of SMEs and Startups' Win-Win Cooperation Bureau provide a response.

Minister Park emphasized, "If Hyundai Motor aims to make a profit, it would be difficult to achieve win-win cooperation, but if it is for industrial competitiveness, win-win cooperation seems possible. Consumers' satisfaction will increase through the open platform, and used car dealers may be able to reduce after-sales service costs."

When Yang Geum-hee, a member of the People Power Party, said, "I think it is significant to allow some time to create a platform for mutual growth," Minister Park responded, "I fully agree with your statement. If an open platform is created and used to manage used cars, the brand value of Hyundai and Kia Motors will increase, consumer trust will improve, and the existing image of used car dealers will also be enhanced."

Kim Jung-jae, a member of the People Power Party, asked, "While win-win cooperation is important, consumers' rights are also important. Hyundai and Kia Motors operate used car businesses overseas. Foreign brands also operate used car businesses in Korea, so how about in their home countries?" In response, Kim Dong-wook, Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Company, answered, "Foreign brands operate both in their home countries and in Korea."

Lee Su-jin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged the designation of the used car sales business as a livelihood-type suitable industry. Lee Su-jin stated, "Currently, there is no reason why the used car sales business cannot be designated as a livelihood-type suitable industry in terms of its small-scale nature, consumer welfare, and protection needs. A fair review based on clear grounds for designating the used car sales business as a livelihood-type suitable industry should be conducted promptly."

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