Very interesting and good point, I agree.
It sould not consider the concept of free hydroxide by mixing tiny hydroxide
with carbonates. What you have is a kind of BUFFER SYSTEM. KCO3 + KOH.
The system and reaction we look into as
CO3(2-) + H2O ----- HCO3(-) + OH(-)        ( The system)
CO3 (2-) + COOH ---- HCO3(-) + COO (-)  ( developing)
the tiny OH added by vendor is kind to preserve so called available carbonate
concentration by forceing equiliblum toward left side. the caution should be
taken is the amount of OH can be introduced. You will be end of problem, if
you break the buffer zone. Especially you make solution yourself by
dissolving pot ash or soda ash.

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