South Korea to Raise Fines on Hard-to-Cancel Subscriptions and Penalize Airlines for Unannounced Flight Cancellations

South Korea on June 19 unveiled measures to help consumers track subscriptions, deter hidden cancellation barriers, and penalize airlines that drop flights without notice. Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol presented the package during a meeting with economy-related ministers. The steps target practices in subscription services, leisure, and cultural events.

The government will create a system that links financial information so users can view and manage all subscriptions in one place. The finance ministry said consumers often underestimate spending because they do not fully recall the services they pay for. The service is scheduled to launch around September.

Maximum fines for dark patterns that complicate cancellations will rise from 5 million won to 10 million won. Examples include requiring cancellation requests through a channel different from the sign-up method. Regulations will be revised in the first quarter of 2027 to require concert and sporting-event operators to notify buyers when seats have restricted views.

No such notice is currently mandatory. Airlines that cancel flights without prior notice will face tougher penalties. Carriers are now exempt from liability if they refund tickets, even without advance warning.

The finance ministry noted that such cancellations can lead to extra costs for consumers who have booked hotels and tours. Airlines with high cancellation rates will also face disadvantages when traffic rights are allocated. The measures follow an increase in cancellations linked to higher fuel costs after the recent Middle East conflict.

Airplanes were parked at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, on June 16.