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Busan Metropolitan City to Launch “2026 Consumer Damage Prevention Education by Target Group” to Strengthen Citizens’ Consumer Competencies

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that, pursuant to the Framework Act on Consumers and the Busan Metropolitan City Consumer Basic Ordinance, it will promote the “Consumer Damage Prevention Education by Target Group” throughout the year to strengthen citizens’ consumer capabilities.

As consumer damage types have recently become increasingly diverse and sophisticated, the number of consumer counseling cases in the Busan area last year increased by 16.1 percent compared to the previous year. In particular, damage is expected to be concentrated among vulnerable consumer groups such as young adults entering society, older adults, and persons with disabilities, heightening the need for customized education.

Damage cases closely related to daily life have significantly increased, including credit card text message payment fraud (smishing), non-refundable airline ticket cancellations or delayed refunds, disputes over subscription cancellation and refunds for online services, and damages related to internet information services such as personal data breaches.

Accordingly, from March to December, the City will conduct customized education tailored to the characteristics of each group—children, adolescents, young adults entering society, older adults, persons with disabilities, and public officials—through visiting and participatory programs at schools, welfare centers, events hosted by organizations for persons with disabilities, and City Hall.

In particular, through intensive education on the recent surge in voice phishing and e-commerce damages, the City will support citizens in developing the ability to prevent 피해 on their own in daily life.

The following programs are scheduled:
◈ [March 1–December 31] Financial and economic literacy and safety education for children
◈ [March 1–December 31] Consumer damage case prevention education for adolescents
◈ [November–December] Employment scam and voice phishing prevention education for young adults entering society
◈ [March 1–December 31] Smartphone and health functional food damage prevention education for older adults
◈ [April 1–December 31] E-commerce damage prevention and consumer rights education for persons with disabilities
◈ [First half of 2026] Training for public officials on responding to the latest financial fraud schemes

The City plans to expand its pool of professional instructors in cooperation with the Korea Consumer Agency, BNK Busan Bank, local economic education centers, and consumer organizations, and to enhance educational effectiveness and satisfaction by incorporating experiential and participatory teaching methods.

Last year, a total of 123 sessions were conducted under the consumer damage prevention education by target group program, with 11,292 citizens participating, leading to substantial improvements in consumer competency. In particular, the “Prevention Education on Overseas Illegal Employment Scams” for young adults entering society received strong positive responses and was evaluated as an effective example.

Applications for the program are currently being accepted, and inquiries can be made to the Economic Policy Division of Busan Metropolitan City (Consumer Life Center, Tel. 051-888-2142~3).

Kim Bong-cheol, Assistant Mayor of Digital Economy Office of Busan Metropolitan City, stated, “As consumer damage types are becoming increasingly diverse and sophisticated, education that empowers citizens to protect their own rights and prevent 피해 is urgently needed,” adding, “We hope this education program will serve as a strong safeguard for safe consumer life for all Busan citizens.”