The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) disciplined three companies — IniWedding, Weddingbook, and Wedding Crowd — for promotional claims that regulators said were unsubstantiated and potentially deceptive.
The firms advertised themselves as the “largest in Korea,” “industry leader,” and having “top-tier credit ratings from representative evaluation agencies,” without providing objective or verifiable evidence to support the assertions.
The commission concluded that the marketing language used across company websites, mobile apps, and social media platforms amounted to arbitrary self-promotion rather than factual representations grounded in certified evaluations or independent data.
“These were not statements backed by any credible or quantifiable verification,” an FTC spokesman said. “They were essentially slogans.”
While the violations were deemed minor, the commission opted to issue formal warnings instead of levying fines, citing the companies’ cooperation during the investigation and their voluntary removal or modification of the disputed content.
The move is part of a broader government initiative aimed at curbing the high costs associated with weddings, which have been identified as a contributing factor to delayed marriage and low birth rates in South Korea.
The average cost of weddings — including venue rentals, dresses, and makeup — has come under scrutiny as policymakers attempt to lower barriers to marriage and family formation.
In a parallel effort, the National Tax Service in February launched a sweeping tax audit of the wedding services industry, with a particular focus on pricing practices for studios, dress rentals, and cosmetic services. Authorities have pledged greater oversight of what they describe as opaque and often inflated costs in the sector.
reporter
Kim Dong-young
davekim0807@ajupress.com
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