Terms of Service

Article 1 (Purpose)

These Terms aim to define the rights, obligations, responsibilities, and other necessary matters between Openworkz (the "Company") and users in connection with the use of the IT outsourcing brokerage platform service (the "Service") provided by the Company.

Article 2 (Definitions)

1. "Service" means all services such as IT outsourcing project brokerage, expert matching, and project management provided through the website (openworkz.com) operated by the Company.
2. "User" means a person who uses the Service provided by the Company under these Terms, and includes "Clients" and "Developers".
3. "Client" means a person who registers projects through the Service and commissions work to developers.
4. "Developer" means an IT expert who applies to a client's project through the Service and performs the work.

Article 3 (Effect and Amendment of Terms)

1. These Terms take effect by being posted on the Service screen or otherwise notified to users.
2. The Company may amend these Terms within the scope permitted by applicable law. Any amendment is announced within the Service together with the current Terms, stating the effective date and the reason, from 7 days before the effective date. Where an amendment is unfavorable to users, it is announced from 30 days before the effective date.
3. A user who does not agree to the amended Terms may stop using the Service and withdraw their membership.

Article 4 (Membership Registration and Accounts)

1. A person who wishes to use the Service applies for membership by entering member information according to the registration form set by the Company and agreeing to the Terms.
2. If there is any change to the information registered at sign-up, the member must update the member information immediately.
3. A member may not provide or share their account information with any third party, and is responsible for managing their account.

Article 5 (Use of the Service)

1. The Company provides a platform for matching and project management between clients and developers.
2. The project contract is concluded between the client and the developer. The Company acts as an intermediary and supports the escrow of funds. Escrow and settlement of funds are governed by Article 6.
3. The Company may temporarily suspend the Service for reasons such as system maintenance or equipment replacement to ensure stable operation, in which case it will give prior notice.

Article 6 (Escrow and Settlement of Funds)

1. Project funds paid by a client are not held by the Company. They are deposited into an escrow account operated by an electronic payment settlement agency registered under the Electronic Financial Transactions Act (the "Payment Agency").
2. Deposited funds are settled to the developer when the conditions set out in the contract are met. The Company issues settlement and hold instructions, which does not mean the Company acquires ownership of the funds.
3. The amount paid to the developer is the deposited amount less the fee set out in Article 8.
4. If the contract is not performed or the parties agree to terminate it, deposited funds are refunded to the client under the criteria in Article 7 or by agreement of the parties. Payment Agency fees incurred by a refund are borne by the party that caused the refund, and by the Company where neither party caused it.
5. If handling of deposited funds is delayed for reasons beyond the Company's control, such as a failure or suspension of payment at the Payment Agency, the Company will notify users of the fact and its progress without delay.

Article 7 (Automated Handling Criteria)

The Company handles deposited funds automatically under criteria defined in advance when any of the following occurs. No separate fee is charged for automated handling.

1. The developer has delivered and the client neither records a review result nor raises an objection within the review period (7 days from delivery): the review is deemed complete and the milestone amount is settled.
2. The developer has not delivered by the deadline set in the contract and does not explain the reason within 7 days after that deadline: the milestone amount is refunded to the client.
3. The client does not approve a milestone and does not state the reason within the period: the Company requests a statement of reasons from both parties, and if 7 days pass after that request, the milestone remains on hold.
4. Before automated handling under items 1 through 3 is executed, the Company notifies the party concerned of the intended action and its deadline. That party may object within the deadline, and automated handling is not executed where an objection is raised.
5. Deadlines for automated handling are stated within the Service. Any change to them is announced under Article 3.

Article 8 (Fees and Charges)

1. No usage fee is charged to clients for the basic matching service. Developers are charged 5% of the settlement amount (minimum KRW 10,000), once per contract. If a client chooses card payment, the payment gateway provider's payment fee is added separately.
2. The Company may charge separate fees for value-added services (project consulting, technical consulting, dedicated manager, dispute resolution support, etc.), and such fees are specified within the Service.
3. When fees or charges change, the changes will be announced at least 30 days in advance.

Article 9 (Dispute Mediation Support)

1. Where a dispute arises between users, the Company promptly takes the basic measures needed to resolve it, at no charge, including identifying the cause and the harm, requesting confirmation of the facts, and holding settlement of deposited funds.
2. Where the basic measures in item 1 do not resolve the dispute and a judgment on the facts is required, the Company may offer dispute mediation support as a paid add-on service. A request is optional, and the basic measures in item 1 are provided whether or not it is made.
3. The fees and procedures for dispute mediation support, including how fees are borne, are stated within the Service. Any change is announced under Article 3.
4. Dispute mediation support is not arbitration under the Arbitration Act, and the Company's mediation outcome does not replace agreement between the parties. Users may resort to judicial proceedings at any time, and whether mediation is under way does not limit that right.

Article 10 (User Obligations)

Users must not engage in the following acts.

1. Registering false information or stealing another person's information
2. Reproducing or distributing information obtained through the Service without authorization
3. Interfering with the stable operation of the Service
4. Collecting, storing, or disclosing other users' personal information
5. Other illegal or improper acts

Article 11 (Limitation of Liability)

1. The Company is not a party to disputes arising from transactions between clients and developers. The Company provides the automated handling in Article 7 and the dispute mediation support in Article 9, neither of which is arbitration under the Arbitration Act, and neither limits a user's right to resort to judicial proceedings.
2. The Company is not responsible for service interruptions due to force majeure such as natural disasters or service failures.
3. The user is responsible for any damage arising from the user leaking their own personal information to others.

Article 12 (Withdrawal and Loss of Membership)

1. A member may request withdrawal at any time through the settings within the Service, and the Company will process it immediately.
2. If a user violates these Terms, the Company may restrict or suspend the membership after prior notice.

Article 13 (Dispute Resolution)

1. In the event of a dispute related to these Terms, the Company and the user will endeavor to resolve it through mutual consultation.
2. If no agreement is reached, the competent court shall be the court of jurisdiction under the Civil Procedure Act.