Korea Joongang Daily
Korea JoongAng Daily

FTC chief reports that probe into gas station price-fixing is almost complete

Korea's antitrust watchdog will soon complete its investigation of gas station price-fixing and collusion.

2026-04-15

FTC's collusion-related fines in Q1 more than triple from all of 2025: Data

Collusion-related corporate fines imposed by Korea's antitrust regulator more than tripled in the first quarter compared with the total for all of 2025, industry data showed Wednesday.

2026-04-01

Fair Trade Commission probes alleged price-fixing by gas stations

The antitrust regulator is looking into suspected price-rigging collusion cases involving gas stations in southern regions amid volatile energy prices stemming from ongoing turmoil in the Middle East, officials said on Friday.

2026-03-13

Mercedes-Benz hit with $7.65M fine for allegedly burying battery maker

Mercedes-Benz has been fined 11.24 billion won ($7.65 million) for allegedly misleading consumers by concealing the manufacturer of batteries used in its EVs and suggesting they were made by China’s CATL, the world’s largest battery maker.

2026-03-10

Harim in legal battle with FTC over 100 billion won price-fixing fine

Harim, Korea's largest poultry-processing company, said Sunday that a hefty fine over alleged price-fixing stemmed from the government's supply control policy, as it continues two legal battles with the country's antitrust regulator.

2026-03-08

FTC investigates alleged school uniform manufacturing collusion nationwide

The antitrust watchdog has launched a nationwide investigation into school uniform manufacturers over alleged collusion following controversies over high prices, its chief said Thursday.

2026-02-26

FTC slaps $277M fine on top 3 sugar makers for oligopoly, collusion

Three companies that dominated Korea’s sugar market were slapped with fines totaling more than 400 billion won ($277 million) for allegedly colluding on prices for about four years and reaping illicit gains.

2026-02-12

Number of M&As under review in Korea down in 2025, but total value up 30%: Watchdog

Korea's antitrust regulator said that the number of reviewed mergers and acquisitions (M&As) declined from a year earlier in 2025, but the total value of the deals surged nearly 30 percent, indicating an increase in large-scale transactions.

2026-02-04

FTC blocks Singapore's Affinity Equity from acquiring Lotte Rental, citing fund's SK Rent-a-Car ownership

Korea's antitrust watchdog said Monday that it has decided to block a Singapore-based private equity fund from acquiring the country's largest vehicle rental company, citing concerns that the deal would significantly restrict market competition.

2026-01-26

FTC slaps fines on 3 construction firms, CJ for unfair trading

The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) said Wednesday it has imposed fines totaling 93.5 billion won ($64.8 million) on three construction companies and CJ Group for illegal inter-subsidiary transactions.

2025-12-31