The Korea Social Network Services Operator Association (KOSOA) set sail in the spring, 2016 to support SNS operations and to promote the rights and interests of the members under the slogan ‘Win-Win Growth’. <Power Korea> had an interview with the association presidentBaek Un-sup at the head office of EG Tec in which he serves as the CEO.

 

Q. I heard that the KOSOA has made donations on a regular basis?

A. Back then, Korea suffered from severe poverty and many better off countries donated what they have. And Korea is the 11thlargest economy in the world today. I think running a business is the same. In order for a company to grow, the company must know how to share. The KOSOAfollows the suit under the chant ‘We share, We go’ with ‘communication’ and ‘public ownership’ as keywords. The meaning of communication and public ownership I think is sharing good things together in a simple term.

 

▲ Baek Un-sup, President of Korea Social Network Services Operator Association

 

Q. SNS-dependent businesses are increasing rapidly. What might be the improvements the KOSOA has to make?

A. There is no regulation or rule to effectively control the trade on SNS or online platforms if you like. Many things happen when trading online such as you paid but not received the goods or the product is different from the image shown or the operator’s paper works such as cash receipt and business license, etc. you name it. So, the KOSOA is working on regularizing the trade on legal basis in cooperation with responsible public institutions. I expect that a corporate body will be launched for this around the end of the year.

 

Q. So, it means that you will get busier than before?

A. Nowadays, selling a product has become a technology. To extend the term a little bit further, selling a product is an act of being recognized the specific technique. Therefore, it is our job to find the platforms to promote and support. This way, the KOSOA can make one of many contributions to the development of trading on SNS.

 

Q. What is your opinion on e-commerce market in the future?

A. It will grow limitlessly because the market enabled the limited goods for limited sales and itdoesn’t require a big ad platform such as TV ad. I take ‘viral marketing’ as a good example especially when it comes to mobile platforms. Almost everybody uses smartphone and it is simple and faster. If you are a micro business owner such as a street vendor, this is the right time to pay attention to the online transaction platforms. Again, the role of the KOSOA, in this respect, is to find and support the platforms.

 

 

Q. Lastly, what is your advice for SNS-dependent startups?

A. The sooner the better. Rumor and fact are miles apart. So, get on the board first and supplement what you have missed during the course. It’s faster and more effective since there is not a term such as ‘perfect’. Development comes from trying and failing and trying and failing can’t happen without action. If you need a help, the KOSOA is here to provide for you.

 

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The KOSOA held a one day promotional event‘1212 SNS Shopping Day’late last year by benchmarking the U.S. Black Friday Day, the UK’s Boxing Day and the Dubai’s Shopping Festival. Taking the momentum, the KOSOA is holding ’88 SNS Shopping Day’ this summer. The 3rd general meeting held on April 25 invited officials from Google Korea, Nielsen Korea, CJ Korea Express, KOTRA and Kakao Story. The KOSOA also is actively engaged in the Childfund Korea as an honorary ambassador.

지윤석 기자  jsong_ps13@naver.com