By Chung Ah-young
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of local municipalities that limit the business hours of large discount stores at weekends to protect traditional markets.
The top court ordered a high court Thursday to review its ruling that limiting business hours for large stores was illegal.
“A regulation for the public good is not only important but also necessary. However, it can hardly be seen as depriving consumers of their right to choose as large retailers do not need protection,” a judge said.
The top court said that district offices followed due procedures by accepting stores’ opinions before putting this regulation into practice.
“The regulation cannot be seen as an abuse of power,” he said.
Six conglomerate-owned retailers filed a lawsuit against the heads of Dongdaemun and Seonogdong District Offices, calling for nullification of a rule that limits their weekend business hours.
The district offices introduced the ordinance in 2012, which includes forcing large discount chains to close on the second and fourth Sundays of the month and prohibits the stores to be open from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. to protect small stores and vendors at traditional marketplaces.
Previously, the Seoul District Court ruled in favor of local authorities, citing that the rule was effective in helping increase the sales of local merchants and small vendors.
However, the Seoul High Court overturned the lower court ruling, saying that the rule restricted consumer choice. After the ruling, the district offices appealed to the top court.