[2023 National Audit] Han Gijeong "Investigation on Coupang and Others' Self-Preferential Treatment to Conclude Within the Year"

Han Ki-jung, Chairman of the Korea Fair Trade Commission, stated on the 16th that "we will strive to establish regulations by the end of this year" regarding the designation system for foreign ultimate owners, including Coupang.

The Fair Trade Commission designated Coupang as a restricted mutual investment business group in May and maintained Coupang Inc. as the ultimate owner instead of Chairman Kim Beom-seok of Coupang. This was due to the lack of legal grounds to designate Chairman Kim, a U.S. citizen, as the ultimate owner.

Fair Trade Commission Chairman Han Ki-jung is responding to a lawmaker's question at the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee audit held on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Additionally, Chairman Han mentioned that there is an ongoing investigation related to the 'self-preferencing' issue arising from Coupang's entry into the private brand product market. The plan is to complete the related investigation within this year.

He also expressed his intention to investigate issues such as unfair contracts raised by lawmakers. When independent lawmaker Yang Jeong-sook pointed out the tampering controversy involving 'Fifty Fifty,' Chairman Han said, "We will review whether there is any violation under the Fair Trade Act."

He further stated that they will investigate the contract forms between delivery apps like Baedal Minjok and Yogiyo and delivery drivers, as well as the limitations of the penalty reduction system. Progressive Party lawmaker Kang Seong-hee said, "The Fair Trade Commission issued a voluntary corrective measure regarding delivery apps and ordered that the delivery fees paid to delivery drivers be specified in contracts, but I could not find any cases using the standard contract." In response, Chairman Han said, "We will review this."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.