Republic of Korea: Partial Amendment to the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce (Law No. 21312) including consumer protection authority governance enters into force

On 7 February 2027, the amendment to Article 39(3) of the Act on Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce (Law No. 21312) enters into force. The Act applies to businesses under investigation or review by the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) for violations of the Act. Under the amended Article 39(3), the procedural provisions governing KFTC proceedings will be extended to cover document service and will incorporate additional cross-references to Articles 98, 98-2, and 98-3 of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act. Under the amended Article 39(5), the confidentiality obligations applicable to KFTC members and public officials will be extended to persons who manage or have managed the implementation of consent resolutions. A new Article 39(6) will apply the confidentiality obligations under Article 123(2) of the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act to the same category of persons.