[Consumerwide - Jinil Kang Reporter / Yohan Bok Reporter] Customers seem to pay more attention to second-hand transactions, which are one of the easiest and most familiar markets, in the midst of a hard economy, along with a rational consumption trend amongst the younger generation.

In particular, the online second-hand market, which consumes less shopping time and space, grew six times by 24 trillion won in 2021 compared to 2008, which recorded 4 trillion won. The monthly active users of a second-hand online platform in Korea counted 22 million last year. However, the problem lies in that items that are prohibited or limited between individuals, including domestic and overseas recalled products, medications, and medical equipment, are distributed through the platform. According to the current law, medical equipment transactions are exclusively allowed by registered medical device sellers, not individuals, due to the risk of bacterial infection and accuracy or function issues. You may commit a crime unintentionally, even though you intended consumption value in the first place.

However, many consumers do not even know whether there are items that are banned for second-hand personal transactions. Referring to 2022 Consumer recognition research announced by KCA, 54.1% of people answered that they know about banned items for second-hand platform transactions, whereas 45.9% of people answered they don't, which means that there can be quite a number of medical equipment transactions in the second-hand market unintentionally.

For this reason, KCA is facilitating this campaign to enhance consumer safety recognition and make a safe medical equipment consumption environment. However, it won't mean much unless the consumer himself stops purchasing any of them. If one is planning on value consumption, you have got to remember this. If they stop purchasing, there won't be any sellers in the market.