SEOUL, KOREA- The monthly number of consumers who purchase goods and services through smartphones or tablet computers has passed 15 million.According to a survey conducted by the Korea Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Ranky.com, the monthly average number of consumers who used mobile apps reached 15.53 million in the first half of this year.

This figure represented a 138.7-percent growth compared to a year ago and a 44.4-percent growth compared to the second half of last year. In contrast, the monthly average number of consumers who used Internet shopping malls through their desktop computers, stood at 29.4 million, continuing on a downward trend since the number reached 30.85 million in the first half of 2011.

A KCCI official said, "Mobile shopping free from the limit of time and space is expected to continue to grow."