Customers wait in a long line in front of the headquarters of TMON to receive refunds in Gangnam District, Seoul, July 26. Yonhap

The presidential office said Friday it is "closely watching" the uproar over delayed payments on e-commerce platforms WeMakePrice and TMON, but referred detailed questions to the ministries in charge.

Thousands of customers have swarmed the two companies' headquarters to demand refunds after the platforms failed to pay sellers their earnings in May.

"We are closely watching the situation," a presidential official told reporters, noting relevant government agencies, including the Fair Trade Commission, the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, are in close communication and responding promptly. "This was an order from the presidential office."

On whether the government plans to offer emergency funds to sellers, the official said "detailed measures" will be handled by the relevant ministries. (Yonhap)