The dispute amount was 5.444 trillion won for January-November 2002 (annual total estimated by National Statistical Office: 6 trillion won), compared with 3.347 trillion won in 2001.

By type, cancellation of contracts, return of goods and refunds constituted one-third (313 cases, 36.7%) of the total disputes, followed by delayed delivery/ non-delivery (183 cases, 14.1%) and contract changes/ non-performance of contracts (116 cases, 13.6%). Disputes related to the management of individual Internet shopping malls and duplication of "hangeul" (Korean language) homepage addresses increased, while those involving delayed delivery and the closure of Internet malls declined.

The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE) said that of the total 854 cases, the ECMC found 579 mediation-possible cases and reached agreement or mediation successful in 542 cases, while failing in 37 cases. In addition, 69 cases were impossible to mediate due to lack of communication with relevant parties; 82 cases were judged not in the e-commerce area; and 63 cases were withdrawn. The remaining 61 cases were received in December last year and are presently being coordinated.

To prevent the growth of e-commerce disputes in advance and to achieve rapid resolution, the ministry and ECMC plan to expand the "cyber dispute coordination system," increase the manpower in the committee's secretariat and publicize e-commerce dispute practices and countermeasures by type.