As more South Korean consumers opt to make online purchases through overseas websites, complaints related to direct foreign purchases are also rising.

A 305 per cent rise in complaints last year has been noted by the Korea Consumer Agency’s Cross Border Transaction Consumer Portal, with 1463 cases, up from 361 in 2016. Between January and May, 1306 cases were filed.

The agency said many complaints regarded lodging, plane tickets and other services as well as consumer goods such as shoes and clothes.