The number of affiliates belonging to Korea’s conglomerates crossed 3,000 for the first time in 2023. The increase is the result of business diversification in response to an unstable global business environment, but the increase has generated many negative side effects.As of May 2023, the number of
Starting this year, the Restricted Stock Unit (RSU) agreements agreed upon by the heads of conglomerates and their family members will be subject to mandatory disclosure. Consequently, companies affiliated with major corporate groups are obligated to disclose the status of RSUs, not only for listed
The rapid increase in direct overseas purchases through Chinese e-commerce companies such as AliExpress, Temu, and Shein has led to discussions about alternative measures to mitigate the side effects. However, it has been confirmed that the proposal to tax small imported goods is closely linked to t
Controversy over AliExpress’ and Temu’s harmful content for teenagers has not subsided.Despite constant criticism from Korean consumer organizations, the two Chinese e-commerce giants’ measures have been insufficient, and responses came late from the Korean government.According to a recent report, a
Chinese online shopping platforms AliExpress, Temu, Shine and other overseas business operators over a certain size will be required to have representatives in Korea. This new policy is aimed at making them responsible for consumer protection.Unlike AliExpress, which currently has a legal entity in
The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) intends to initiate an investigation into Temu and Shein, following its inquiry into AliExpress, the leading online shopping platform in China, regarding potential consumer harm.This comes as the indiscriminate onslaught of Chinese online shopping malls, levera
The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) conducted an on-site investigation into AliExpress, the shopping platform of the Chinese Alibaba Group, which is suspected of violating consumer protection obligations.According to industry sources on March 6, the KFTC recently sent investigators to the Seoul o
The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) is targeting franchise businesses owned by private equity funds. In particular, tensions within the industry have escalated recently after Mom’s Touch was fined 300 million won (US$225,989) for unfair practices towards its franchisees.Yook Sung-kwon, the Secretary Gen
On Feb. 8, the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) unveiled its agenda for the year, intending to elevate the criteria for designating business conglomerates subject to disclosure. Criticism has been directed at the regulations governing the disclosure of business groups as they are unique to South Korea. T
The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has decided to review the designation of dominant business entities, which is at the core of the Fair Competition Promotion Act (the Platform Act for short). This means that virtually, the Korean market watchdog will review the designation from scratch. Industr
Korean Air has received approval for its merger with Asiana Airlines from Japan’s competition regulator, facing the final hurdle in its quest to become Korea’s megacarrier.The Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC), Japan’s competition authority, approved the merger of Korean Air and Asiana on Jan. 31.T
In response to a warning from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that the Korean government’s proposed Platform Fair Competition Promotion Act (Platform Act) could violate trade agreements, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) said that it will prick up its ears for stakeholders’ opinions.“We would like
Since the beginning of this year, a shipbuilding battle has been heating up between seventh-ranked Hanwha Group and ninth-ranked HD Hyundai Group. After Hanwha acquired Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (now Hanwha Ocean) last year, the two groups emerged as new rivals in the shipbuilding ind
Nexon Korea, the operator of the online game MapleStory, is set to face a hefty fine of more than 10 billion won from the Korea Fair Trade Commission for selling game items with virtually zero chance of being won.The KFTC announced on Jan. 3 that it would impose a corrective order and a fine of 11.6
The Fair Trade Commission (FTC) of Korea has decided to promote the enactment of a platform competition promotion act, which will designate large platforms that dominate the market as market dominators and prohibit them from engaging in unfair competition practices such as getting preferential treat
More than half of the 82 major conglomerates surveyed have holding companies, with 38 groups transitioning to a “holding company system.” The average ownership stake in holding companies held by conglomerate owners and their families has slightly decreased compared to the previous year.According to
Starting on Dec. 6, it will be possible to use automated teller machines (ATMs) without a card if you have a smartphone.According to the Bank of Korea on Dec. 5, the Financial Information Technology Promotion Council, the Korea Financial Telecommunications and Clearings Institute (KFTC), and 17 Kore
A university professor has pointed out that the holding company system that was introduced to curb the concentration of economic power by large conglomerates is being utilized as a means to maintain corporate control and aid corporate succession by owning families.Shin Young-soo, a professor at Kyun
Amid growing global attention on the Middle East due to an armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, the number of overseas subsidiaries established by large Korean companies has surpassed 110 in major Middle Eastern countries, according to a survey.The Korea CXO Instit
Over the past seven years, the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) has fined big Korean companies more than 4 trillion won for violating the Fair Trade Act and other laws.Among them, the KFTC imposed the largest amount of fines (265.5 billion won for nine cases) on Hyundai Motor Company. The amount o