Republic of Korea: Announced Fair Trade Commission market inquiry of e-commerce sector

On 26 March 2024, the South Korean Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) announced the launch of a market inquiry into the e-commerce sector. This measure is in line with the KFTC's action plan to identify and analyse fair trade and consumer issues arising from changes in market structures in new technology markets, including the e-commerce and Artificial intelligence (AI) sectors. The inquiry aims to examine the e-commerce market structure, competitive status, and business practices, given the rapid changes in the sector and the significant impact they have on consumers' lives. The KFTC plans to conduct this research in three phases: preliminary market research, a detailed survey of major e-commerce operators, and data collection and analysis. The aim is to publish a policy report by the end of the year.