韩国公平交易委员会再次突击检查Coupang，调查重点转向公平交易法下的市场支配地位问题

South Korea's Fair Trade Commission has launched another on-site inspection of Coupang, this time examining possible violations of the Fair Trade Act rather than the Large-Scale Distribution Business Act. The e-commerce company complied with the inspection, even as the regulator and the ruling party ramp up pressure through a planned criminal referral and proposed legislation.
The FTC sent about 30 investigators to Coupang's headquarters in Jayang-dong, Seoul, on the 1st to conduct an on-site inspection into suspected violations of the Fair Trade Act, according to relevant government agencies. Coupang is not raising any particular objection to this inspection, sources said.
The inspection is separate from the FTC's attempted probe last month into suspected violations of the Large-Scale Distribution Business Act. The commission is looking into whether Coupang abused its market-dominant position or obstructed the business activities of other operators, sources said.
Last month, the FTC attempted an on-site inspection to verify allegations that Coupang improperly passed on discount coupon costs and other expenses to suppliers. Coupang refused to cooperate, saying it had not received written notice seven days before the inspection began. The company then filed a lawsuit seeking to block enforcement of the decision and disposition on the on-site inspection.
FTC Chairman Joo Byung-ki told a National Assembly special committee on budget and accounts on the 26th of last month that the commission would file a criminal complaint over Coupang's refusal to cooperate. "Something unprecedented has happened, so we intend to respond thoroughly," the chairman said. "We will take every measure available, including imposing fines." A hearing in the lawsuit Coupang filed over the on-site inspection is scheduled for the 2nd.
The ruling party is pursuing its own legislative push. Rep. Lee Kang-il of the Democratic Party of Korea sponsored a bill to amend the Framework Act on Administrative Investigations that would exempt investigations related to violations of the Large-Scale Distribution Business Act from advance notice requirements.
The industry is watching closely for the fallout from the FTC's investigation. "It looks like the FTC and Coupang are in a test of wills," an industry official said. "There is also a possibility that regulation surrounding Coupang could spill over into Korea-U.S. trade issues." An FTC official said the commission "cannot confirm whether specific cases are under investigation or their contents."