Kang Ki-jung, Fair Trade Commission Chairman, "Decision on Preferential Treatment Sanctions for Coupang PB Products Soon"

The Fair Trade Commission plans to decide soon whether to sanction Coupang over allegations that it manipulated reviews of its private brand (PB) products by mobilizing its employees.

On the 21st, Han Ki-jung, chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, appeared on KBS Sunday Diagnosis Live and said, "We will soon address at the plenary meeting acts such as having employees write purchase reviews to boost those reviews to the top of search rankings." Although he did not specify an exact timeline, it is known to be scheduled for early to mid next month.

Chairman Han stated that while it is difficult to directly intervene in Coupang's recent membership fee increase, the commission plans to respond indirectly through legal measures.

Kang Ki-jung, Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, is giving a special lecture at the regular general meeting of the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry held on the 29th at the International Conference Hall of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

He also mentioned that the commission is investigating whether there have been any legal violations related to consumer damages involving overseas platforms such as Ali and Temu.

Separately from the investigation, a hotline will be established between the Korea Consumer Agency and overseas platforms so that domestic agencies can directly contact and take action when consumer damages occur.

Regarding foreign countries regulating Apple, Chairman Han explained that they are examining whether domestic fair trade laws can be applied. He said, "The fines imposed on foreign companies amount to about 2 trillion won," and added, "We will closely monitor foreign trends related to Apple and determine whether there have been any legal violations."