Science, ICT and Future Planning Minister Choi Mun-kee and eBay CEO John Donahoe discussed ways to grow the creative economy through online commerce during their meeting on Tuesday, officials said.

During the meeting in Seoul, Minister Choi asked for the e-commerce giant‘s efforts to support and protect online merchants and consumers, the officials said.

They said Donahoe expressed his support for government measures including the expansion of cross border trade enabling Korean merchants to sell their products abroad through eBay.

The meeting had drawn attention from the online industry as it came as the Korean government is stepping up probes into alleged unfair trades by the nation’s Internet portals including Naver.

“We are not here due to possible restrictions or punishments for unfair business practices based on anti-trust laws,” said an official from the global online commerce company.

The U.S.-based online auction site acquired popular Korean websites Auction and Gmarket in 2001 and 2009, respectively, and around 5,000 Korean online sellers have been registered at their sites. eBay raked in 85 trillion won ($79 billion) worldwide in sales last year.

By Kim Young-won (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)